Abstract: Althusser's critical theory of ideology takes up an important position in the ideological pedigree of Marxism abroad,which affects the theoretical construction of post-Althusserism,and the change of its inherent logic has triggered discussions from related scholars.Based on the analysis of On Reproduction and Three Notes on Discourse Theory,some clues are found hidden in the transformation of the internal logic of Althusser's critical theory of ideology.First,before the May Storm,Althusser emphasized the epistemological fracture between science and ideology and regarded ideology as a structural and mirror existence;after that,he paid more attention to the political function of ideology,emphasizing the analysis of "ideology in general",especially the national ideology.Second,Althusser's critical theory of ideology was once indebted to the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Lacan,focusing on the analysis of the unconscious and the application of the mirror theory.Later,Althusser gradually rose to the analysis of the materiality and practicality of ideology,emphasizing the quasi-behaviorism and material basis of ideology.Third,Althusser's discourse theory clarified the general theory of historical materialism and other local theories,distinguished four discourse forms and carried out pioneering and critical academic exploration,which established the spiritual purport of Althusser School.This is a transitional theory,which lays the philosophical groundwork for the subsequent theory of ideological arousal.Therefore,there are obvious differences between Althusser's thoughts in different periods,but they are not completely broken,rather they are a unity of continuity and discontinuity.Althusser's thoughts in the early and late periods are bridged,which not only adhere to the scientific and structural interpretation of ideology,but also combine ideology with social existence,psychoanalysis and historical materialism.They break through the static interpretation of ideology,enhance the explanatory effectiveness of the theory,and produce a new materialistic understanding paradigm.

Key words:  , ideological criticism, Althusser, On Reproduction, discourse theory