This article analysis the philosophical debate between Herbert Marcuse and Alasdair MacIntyre on the nature of ideology and practical rationality in advanced capitalist societies. Marcuses One-Dimensional Man was a powerful and pessimistic judgement on the possibilities of emancipation in advanced industrial society. It also marked an end of the classical Marxist paradigm of universal emancipation through the struggles of the proletariat. MacIntyre replied to Marcuse with the affirmation that Marxist paradigm is no longer valid, but he resisted accepting Marcuses conclusion that contemporary human being is inescapably captured by the ideology. MacIntyre affirmed the powers of ordinary people to struggle for a better life. The article ends with the suggestion that the idea of compartmentalization that is developed in MacIntyres mature works should be read as a philosophical reply to Marcuses thesis of one-dimensionality.