In this discussion, Peter Rollins, a renowned speaker and philosopher, delves into the complexities of contemporary thought. He tackles Donald Trump's controversial Sharpie incident and the rise of Obscene Masters. Rollins also explores the philosophical insights of Paul Tillich, Simone Weil, and Badiou, relating them to modern issues. The conversation touches on the dynamics between faith and skepticism, involving figures like Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins. Expect intriguing ideas on religion as a truth procedure and some playful reflections on gambling with God.
Cinema often critiques the pursuit of desire by revealing the emptiness behind goals like revenge and love, prompting reflection on motivations.
Great art transforms narratives by exploring themes of vulnerability and authenticity, emphasizing the complexities and ambiguities of human experience.
Deep dives
The Pursuit of Desire in Cinema
Cinema often presents a narrative where characters seek out an object or goal that promises satisfaction, such as revenge, love, or wealth. Hollywood movies typically conclude once characters attain their desires, reflecting a societal tendency to avoid the mundane realities that follow those climactic moments. This pattern raises questions about the nature of desire itself, exemplified in films like 'Citizen Kane' and 'Fight Club', which reveal the emptiness behind the pursuit of these goals. In doing so, these films prompt viewers to confront their motivations and the unfulfilled aspects of their desires rather than just the chase for fulfillment.
The Role of Great Art
Great art fundamentally exposes the impotence of desire and resonates with viewers on a deeper, existential level. Movies like 'Pig', featuring a protagonist who faces personal brokenness, divert expectations of revenge narratives to explore themes of mourning and loss. This subversion captivates the audience, transforming a potential action film into a profound reflection on personal suffering and connection. Through this lens, art engages with the complexities of human experience, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in understanding one’s desires.
Existential Insights through Art
The essence of profound art lies in its ability to unveil an ungraspable core of human experience, echoing concepts from Freud about the unknowable elements of reality. For instance, the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa serves as a metaphor for the mysteries of desire and interpretation, drawing viewers into a web of questions regarding their perceptions. This approach suggests that great art provokes thought not by offering definitive answers, but by highlighting the inherent lack in human existence and the futility of seeking wholeness. Ultimately, it encourages a liberation from relentless pursuits through recognition of life's complexities and ambiguities.
Alright, this is a PATREON PREVIEW and we're back with the wonderful PETER ROLLINS talking Donald Trump's Sharpie & the rise of Obscene Masters, Paul Tillich, Simone Weil, Badiou and fidelity to an Event, Religion as a truth procedure, Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins, and of course...Seamus gambling with God.