Alenka Zupančič, central figure of the Lacanian-Hegelian Slovenian school, discusses the early days of the troika, What IS Sex, conspiracy theory, desire, drive, and disavowal.
The podcast discusses the speculative dimension in psychoanalysis and its impact on philosophy, introducing paradoxes and speculative concepts that challenge traditional notions of truth and subjectivity.
The speaker's book 'What is Sex' explores the enigmatic nature of sexuality, highlighting its disruptive and disorienting effects on human existence, shaping our subjectivity and challenging our understanding of being human.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Philosophy and Psychoanalysis
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's introduction to philosophy and psychoanalysis during their high school years. They discuss the influence of GJIC and other intellectuals in Slovenia who delved into the combination of philosophy and psychoanalysis. The speaker highlights the importance of the speculative dimension in psychoanalysis, which goes beyond direct observation and introduces paradoxes and speculative concepts such as the unconscious and truth. They emphasize the significance of the philosophical encounter with psychoanalysis and how it affected the landscape of philosophy.
Exploring the Complexity of Sexuality
The podcast episode centers around the speaker's book entitled 'What is Sex', where they examine the concept of sexuality and its enigmatic nature. The speaker argues that sexuality is not simply a straightforward aspect of human existence, but an encounter with something that disrupts and disorients. They emphasize that the inhuman dimension of sexuality is what shapes our very subjectivity and challenges our understanding of what it means to be human. The speaker also discusses the role of innuendo in sexuality, highlighting how it represents the elusive and indirect nature of sexual experiences.
The Speculative Nature of Psychoanalysis
The podcast episode explores the speculative dimension of psychoanalysis and its implications for philosophy. The speaker highlights the importance of speculative concepts in psychoanalysis, such as the unconscious and repetition. They argue that psychoanalysis offers a unique perspective on the subject, challenging traditional metaphysical notions and introducing new ways of thinking about subjectivity. The speaker emphasizes the significance of incorporating psychoanalytic ideas into philosophical discourse, as they fundamentally reshape our understanding of the structure of being and truth.
Conspiracy Theories and Mainstream Discourse
The podcast episode touches on the speaker's essay on the movie 'Don't Look Up' and the connection between conspiracy theories and mainstream discourse. The speaker suggests a certain coincidence between conspiracy theories and liberal mainstream hegemonic discourse in contemporary society. They explore the relationship between disavowal, denial, and conspiracy theories, arguing that they both reflect a tendency to overlook or dismiss inconvenient truths. The speaker provides insight into the complex dynamics and implications of conspiracy theories within societal discourse.
This week, we're speaking to Alenka Zupančič, author of many texts, including What IS Sex, and Let Them Rot: Antigone’s Parallax. Zupančič. As a member of the "troika" (along with Mladen Dolar and Slavoj Zizek) Alenka is a central figure of the Lacanian-Hegelian Slovenian school we all know and love.
We’re talking the early days of the troika, What IS Sex, the modalities of conspiracy theory, desire, drive, and disavowal.
To listen to the full episode here over to our Patreon.
Special thank you to our Patreons and all listeners who have reached out over the last four years asking if we could speak with Alenka.
Enjoy!
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