John Zigterman, co-host of Beep Beep Lettuce, joins for an investigation into Max Stirner's The Unique and Its Property. They discuss labor news, Derrida's critique of Stoner, identity construction, the concept of the 'real' and its connection to God, beliefs in Christianity, perception and truth in the movie 'Pi', egoism and selflessness, transcendental empiricism and the law, the critique of liberalism's swap to humanism, and Stirner's influence on philosophers. They also talk about John's projects and streaming Super Mario Kart.
The self is the creator of its own spiritual world, and the creations become the world of the spirit.
Spirit, as pure spirit, can only exist outside of the self, and it is a separate entity from the self.
The need for the spirit to live in the otherworld arises from the conflict between self and spirit.
The limitations of language and fixed categorizations hinder a true understanding of the self's dynamic nature.
Deep dives
The Self as a Creator
Stirner argues that the self is the creator of its own spiritual world. The spirit exists as a result of its own creations, revealing itself and manifesting in the words spoken and the revelations made. The creations become the world of the spirit, and the spirit must create this world for itself to exist. The self is the starting point for the creation of this spiritual world.
The Inaccessibility of Spirit
Stirner emphasizes that spirit, as pure spirit, can only exist outside of the self. Since the human being does not fully merge into spirit, the idea of pure spirit can only exist beyond the human world. Spirit is a self-generated entity, separate from the self, and in recognizing its existence, one recognizes it as the creator and lives within its creations.
The Relentless Pursuit of Truth
Stirner questions the origin and existence of the spiritual world, asserting that it lies within the self's nature to create this world. He states that when one creates the first thought or produces the spiritual, one creates the thinking being or the spirit. The self becomes a spirit through its production of the spiritual, and it is from this conflict between self and spirit that the need for the spirit to live in the otherworld arises.
The Reflexive Nature of Language
Stirner highlights the limitations of language and its role in defining the self. He argues that the self is not equivalent to its spirit, heart, or sweetheart, but rather the self exists beyond these linguistic categorizations. Language often points toward a static and fixed understanding of identity, while the self is a dynamic and ever-changing entity.
The Illusory Self and Identity
This podcast episode explores the concept of self and identity, challenging the notion of a fixed self and emphasizing the idea of being a process distributed over time and space. The speaker describes how there is no clear boundary between oneself and one's environment. The example of a broom with its parts being replaced over time is used to illustrate the idea that one's identity is constantly changing and evolving.
The Relevance of Cybernetics
The podcast episode delves into the connection between Stirner's ideas and cybernetics. The speaker raises questions about the identity of copied consciousness and whether a copied version of oneself can truly be considered 'you'. This discussion explores the implications of dualistic thinking and the limitations of trying to define oneself or consciousness.
The Fallacy of Searching for the 'Original'
The podcast episode challenges the idea of searching for an 'original' or a lost object. It argues against the notion that there is a perfect, complete version of oneself or a certain truth that has been lost or can be regained. The speaker emphasizes that the search for completion or a higher essence is misguided and rooted in nostalgia or fictional ideals.
Recognizing the Possession of Others
The podcast episode discusses the dynamics of recognizing others as independent beings. It highlights the complex interplay between recognizing others as possessing their own unique essence while simultaneously internalizing them as property. The speaker suggests that genuine recognition and connection with others come from acknowledging their lack and incompleteness, rather than seeking to possess or define them completely.
John Zigterman, co-host of Beep Beep Lettuce, joined for an ongoing investigation into Max Stirner's The Unique and Its Property. This episode will cover everything up to section 1.2.3 The Hierarchy, or the first 83 pages.
Link to the text:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/max-stirner-the-unique-and-its-property
Article Link:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/saul-newman-empiricism-pluralism-politics-deleuze-and-stirner
Prior Episode with John on Deleuze's Transcendental Empiricism:
https://soundcloud.com/podcast-co-coopercherry/john-zigterman-facebookvillian-this-difference-is-different
John's Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/facebookvillain
Beep Beep Lettuce: https://soundcloud.com/beepbeepleaf
Support us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/muhh
Twitter: @unconscioushh
Instagram: @unconscioushh
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