Why Theory

Slavoj Žižek: An Overview

46 snips
Apr 13, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of Slavoj Žižek, where Hegel meets Lacan in a comedic and thought-provoking analysis. Listen as the hosts share transformative personal experiences linked to philosophical texts, exploring identity and belief. Discover how pop culture influences our understanding of cynicism and ideology, with references to films and the documentary 'Zizek!'. Reflect on the complexities of humor in connection and the intricacies of societal norms, all while enjoying a light-hearted dialogue.
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INSIGHT

Žižek's Core Contribution

  • Slavoj Žižek's main contribution is uniting Hegelian and Lacanian philosophy.
  • This redefined both fields, especially how we understand recognition and misrecognition.
INSIGHT

Misrecognition in Hegel and Lacan

  • Žižek highlights Hegel and Lacan as thinkers of misrecognition, not just symbolic structure.
  • He reveals a shared focus on the failure of recognition within symbolic systems.
ANECDOTE

Discovering Žižek

  • Todd McGowan recounts his introduction to Žižek's Sublime Object of Ideology.
  • He initially dismissed the book but later realized its importance, leading to a breakfast meeting with Žižek.
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