Zizek Interview PART 2: Freedom a Disease Without a Cure
Oct 11, 2023
auto_awesome
Slavoj Žižek, philosopher and author, discusses topics such as the wired brain, the Opium wars, freedom and politics, quantum physics and determinism, the ontology of sex, and the need for an authentic master today.
Authentic freedom lies in the contradictory nature of choosing oneself and experiencing it as fate or necessity.
The complex interplay of unconscious factors is essential in understanding freedom.
Deep dives
The Question of Freedom in Relation to Sartre's Existentialist Freedom
In the podcast, the speaker explores the concept of freedom and discusses its relation to Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist freedom. While Sartre emphasizes the abuse of freedom and the idea of individual responsibility, the speaker argues that Sartre's vision of freedom lacks an acknowledgment of the madness of freedom. They suggest that Sartre's understanding of freedom as a conscious act falls short of the true complexity and paradox of freedom. Drawing on the works of Thomas Zelling and Friedrich Schelling, the speaker argues that truly free decisions are often unconscious and experienced as necessity. They propose that authentic freedom is found in the contradictory nature of choosing oneself and experiencing it as fate or necessity.
The Relevance of the Unconscious in Determining Freedom
The podcast delves into the significance of the unconscious in relation to freedom. The speaker critiques movements like the trans movement and cognitiveism for disregarding the Freudian unconscious. They argue that identities, whether cisgender or transgender, are not solely determined by biology or personal choices, but rather emerge through a process that involves the unconscious. The speaker suggests that freedom cannot be reduced to an individual's subjective experience or societal norms, but rather involves the complex interplay of unconscious factors.
The Paradox of a Master Figure in the Quest for Freedom
The podcast raises the notion of an authentic master figure and its connection to freedom. In contrast to traditional totalitarian masters, the speaker explores the idea that an authentic master plays a different role. They contend that an authentic master challenges individuals to move beyond their limited perceptions of themselves and embrace a more authentic freedom. Drawing on figures like Nelson Mandela and Bernie Sanders, the speaker argues that an authentic master can offer hope and enable individuals to question societal ideologies. They caution, however, that a master's authority should be limited in order to avoid oppressive forms of domination.
Žižek & So On Podcast
LISTEN: https://www.tinyurl.com/zizekpodcasts
This is PART TWO of our interview with Slavoj Žižek for the official book launch with Bloomsbury Publishing of Žižek’s latest book Freedom: A Disease Without A Cure. We’re talking the the wired brain, the Opium wars, freedom and politics, quantum physics and determinism, fate and the role of Subject, concrete and abstract freedoms, the ontology of sex, and why we need an authentic master today.
Thanks to Bloomsbury and all our new Patreons, next up we’re speaking with Alenka Zupančič.