Intelligence Squared Slavoj Žižek and Shahidha Bari on Hegel in a Wired Brain
Jul 28, 2020
Philosopher Slavoj Žižek, known for his provocative insights into culture and theory, teams up with academic Shahidha Bari, an expert in postcolonial thought. They dive into Hegel's legacy and his relevance to today's digital age, discussing the concept of a 'wired brain' and its implications for personal freedom. The conversation tackles how technology reshapes identity and relationships, while also reflecting on Hegel's warnings about knowledge arriving too late. Their exchange prompts critical questions about individuality and spirituality in a tech-dominated world.
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Hegel's Philosophy of Failure
- Hegel is not an absolute rationalist, but a philosopher of radical contingency.
- He was obsessed with how even the best plans can fail, leading to unexpected outcomes.
20th Century as Hegelian
- The 20th century, like the First World War, exemplified Hegel's ideas.
- A peaceful era of progress was shattered by unexpected carnage.
Singularity vs. Hegel
- The singularity, characterized by the fusion of machine and human intelligence, struggles to accommodate failure.
- Žižek argues this inability to fail is a key difference with Hegel's thought.
