Mari Ruti, a renowned philosopher and author known for her accessible exploration of complex ideas, joins the hosts to unpack profound themes. They delve into the nuances of Lacanian theory, discussing how love and desire intertwine with our inherent imperfections. Ruti critiques self-help culture and champion the importance of embracing psychological struggles. The conversation also highlights the therapeutic potential of trauma and the creative process, emphasizing a life driven by calling as a pathway to personal vitality. Prepare for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges philosophy and everyday experience!
Mari Ruti aims to democratize philosophy by making complex ideas from critical theory accessible to both students and the general public.
Jacques Lacan's influence profoundly shapes Ruti's perspective on identity and desire, offering new insights into selfhood and interpersonal relationships.
Ruti advocates for a reparative approach to texts, focusing on positivity and connection rather than critique, which fosters a more enriching understanding of human experience.
Deep dives
Mary Ruti's Approach to Critical Theory
Mary Ruti emphasizes her goal of making complex philosophical ideas accessible to a broader audience. By merging academic philosophy with popular discussions around self-help and gender, she aims to bridge the gap between critical theory and everyday life. Ruti’s work serves as a resource for both students and the general public, translating dense concepts from French post-structuralism into more understandable language. Her intention is to bring significant insights from critical thought into practical discussions about love, existence, and identity, thereby fulfilling her mission of democratizing philosophy.
Lacan's Influence on Ruti's Thought
Jacques Lacan plays a central role in Ruti's intellectual framework, and she identifies him as the most crucial thinker in shaping her philosophy. Her journey into Lacanian theory began during her time in graduate school in the 1990s, where she was immersed in contemporary critical theory. Through her studies in Paris, she engaged deeply with Lacan's seminars, which opened her to new perspectives on subjectivity and desire. Ruti finds Lacan's ideas particularly compelling as they challenge the traditional views of selfhood, exposing deeper layers of meaning regarding identity and interpersonal relationships.
The Vitality of Theory in Academia
Ruti reflects on the shifting dynamics of academic discourse, noting a decline in the openness to theoretical exploration in recent decades. While there's a notable resurgence of interest in theory among graduate students, institutions often prioritize more conventional literary studies over theoretical frameworks. This tension is exacerbated by a reactionary climate against theory in some academic circles, yet Ruti maintains that theoretical work is still vibrant in certain spaces. She argues that passionate students seeking theoretical engagement exist in abundance, longing for deeper conversations despite a predominantly anti-theoretical environment.
Reparative Reading versus Paranoid Reading
Ruti discusses two frameworks for engaging with texts: paranoid reading and reparative reading, drawing from Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's work. While paranoid reading critiques and seeks to expose flaws, reparative reading focuses on finding points of connection and positivity within texts. Ruti advocates for a reparative approach to Lacanian thought, suggesting that it can lead to fruitful insights about creativity, desire, and relationality. This perspective allows for a more affirming understanding of human experience, as it emphasizes resilience and the potential for growth through challenges and fragmentation.
The Nature of Love in Lacanian Theory
In Lacanian terms, love is understood not as a complete union or fusion with the beloved, but rather as an acceptance of the inherent wounds and lack within oneself and others. Ruti highlights that love must be seen through the lens of desire, which often seeks to fill the void but ultimately points to deeper issues surrounding identity and existence. The attraction to another person is linked to the appreciation of their unique struggles and imperfections, indicating that true love exists not in seeking wholeness but in embracing complexity. Thus, love, in this framework, becomes a relational dynamic that continually evolves, enriching the human experience.
The Role of Writing in Creative Expression
Ruti describes her writing process as a deeply intuitive act that often involves pouring out ideas without the constraints of self-criticism or judgment. She encourages writers to embrace their creative instincts and produce uninhibited drafts, recognizing that initial chaos can lead to clarity and structure later on. By allowing herself to 'court madness’ and step outside the bounds of conventional writing, she has learned to transform raw thoughts into compelling textual forms. This method not only alleviates writer’s block but also fosters a genuine connection to the material, ultimately resulting in richer academic and personal expressions.
.@DanielTutt and @mcrumps talk brass tacks with Mari Ruti, philosopher and author of many books including ‘ Envy and Other Bad Feelings’
In this episode they discuss Ruti’s influences, her project more generally, Lacan, hurdles to teaching theory, Jordan Peterson, lack, the Sinthome, paranoid vs reparative modes of reading, the problem with self-help, ‘wild analysis’ and autodidacts, Chris Lasch, Eric Santner. Lacanian Psychoanalysis, protagonists of love, and upcoming works
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