John Zigterman, co-host of Beep Beep Lettuce, and Adam, co-host of Acid Horizon, join the podcast to discuss Max Stirner's The Unique and Its Property. They explore topics such as the misinterpretation of terms like 'ego' and 'Geist', the contrast between Stern's ontology and the empiricist idea of Tabula Rasa, and the concept of contradiction and dialectics in Hegelian philosophy. They also delve into the concept of placing spirit outside of oneself, Christian morality and slavery, the perpetual cycle of masters and revolutionaries, and the journey towards self-realization and uniqueness. Other topics include the concept of self-assumption and self-creation, the relationship between desire and oneness, and a comparative analysis of Spinoza, Hegel, and Stirner. They also touch upon the connection between capitalism and autism and wrap up the discussion by sharing information about their other projects.
Striving for abstract concepts like goodness or love can lead to suppression and domination of individuals.
Fixed ideas and spooks are creations of the mind, not the true essence of individuals.
Rationality and pursuit of oneness or unity are attempts at mediation and cannot fully guide one's life.
Attempting to define the essence of the self limits potential and experiences, embrace the fluidity and emergence of the self.
True freedom comes from recognizing one's own agency and not being dependent on external systems like work or property.
Deep dives
Contradiction and Dehumanization
Sterner highlights the inherent contradiction of attempts to realize the ideal of humanity, such as striving for goodness or love. These ideas often lead to the suppression and domination of individuals in the pursuit of an abstract concept. Sterner argues that oneness or unity is also an attempt at mediation, as every principle adopted ends up contradicting the true nature of the individual. He emphasizes the need to embrace contradiction and the fluidity of the self, rejecting the fixed ideas of what it means to be human or to act in a certain way.
Rejecting Fixed Ideas and Spooks
Sterner challenges the notion of fixed ideas and spooks, asserting that they are creations of the mind and not the true essence of individuals. He criticizes the human fixation on actualizing abstract concepts such as love or goodness, which leads to rigid ideologies and oppressive phantasms. Sterner emphasizes the importance of individual subjective experiences and the inevitable contradiction and fluidity that comes with self-mediation.
Critiquing Hegel's Epistemology and Teleology
Sterner questions Hegel's epistemology and the pursuit of oneness or unity, suggesting that it is another attempt at mediation. He challenges the idea that rationality can completely guide one's life, acknowledging the limitations of reason and the fact that what one loves and strives for exists only in their idea, concept, and thoughts. Sterner rejects the notion of complete actualization and argues that one must embrace their own contradictions and the multiplicity of their being.
Accepting the Unknowable Nature of the Self
Sterner acknowledges the existence of the unknowable within oneself, rejecting the idea that one can fully understand or define the essence of the self. He argues that attempting to encapsulate the self with fixed ideas or concepts limits one's potential and experiences. Sterner emphasizes the importance of embracing the fluidity and emergence of the self, rejecting artificial mediations and accepting the complex contradictions that drive human existence.
The contradiction of liberalism and inequality
Under liberalism, there is formal equality before the law, but material possessions still create disparities. Good bourgeois citizens pay high taxes to the state, ensuring lower wages for workers. This creates a system where the poor person still needs the rich person, as their work is dependent on each other. Liberalism fails to address the inequality inherent in capitalist relations.
The critique of socialism and sacred socialism
Sterner criticizes sacred socialism, where the worker becomes a sacred entity, but it fails to address true human emancipation. Work is a means to escape work, and society offers only assigned tasks and occupations. Sterner argues for the recognition of individual autonomy and the self-abolition of workers, where they are not dependent on work for their sense of self-worth and fulfillment.
The struggle for true freedom
Sterner emphasizes the importance of individual uniqueness and autonomy. Society seeks to control individuals through laws, roles, and possessions, turning workers into mere givers. True freedom comes from recognizing one's own agency and not being dependent on external systems. The pursuit of humanity should not be tied to work or property, but to self-determination and the recognition of one's own qualities.
The contradiction of work and the desire to escape it
Work is often seen as a means to escape work, but the content of work often lacks satisfaction. Society requires individuals to work for the benefit of others, creating a cycle of giving and receiving. Sterner challenges the notion that work makes someone a human being and highlights the importance of recognizing one's own uniqueness and desires beyond the formal tasks assigned by society.
The Importance of Being Unique and Overcoming Humanity
The podcast episode explores the concept of uniqueness and the idea of overcoming the notion of being human. It emphasizes that everyone is unique and cannot be less than human. It references the film Blade Runner to illustrate this concept and how the character Roy transcends his perceived limitations. The episode highlights the criticism of liberalism and its focus on the individual's welfare rather than the concept of being truly human. It discusses the idea of individuality and the need to go beyond societal constructs and limitations. The podcast suggests that true freedom lies in embracing one's own uniqueness and not being defined by societal expectations.
The Critique of Individualism and the Search for True Humanity
The episode delves into the critique of individualism and the search for genuine humanity. It argues that the concept of the human being has been elevated and worshipped, but it remains unattainable for individuals. The podcast discusses the shift from a focus on the individual's god to the god of all, which is the human being. It questions the idea of being special or elevated, instead emphasizing the importance of being unique. The episode explores the notion of the individual overcoming man and examines the power of negative thinking and the possibility of constant self-creation. It concludes by challenging fixed concepts and encouraging the dissolution of fixed identities.
John Zigterman, co-host of Beep Beep Lettuce, and Adam, co-host of Acid Horizon join me for the second installment of a series of episodes interrogating Max Stirner's The Unique and It's Property. This Episode will cover 1.2.3. The Hierarchy (pg. 83) to 2.1 Owness (pg. 170).
Link to the text:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/max-stirner-the-unique-and-its-property
John's Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/facebookvillain
Beep Beep Lettuce: https://soundcloud.com/beepbeepleaf
Adam's Links:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/acid-horizon
https://twitter.com/DeleuzoHegelian
https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com/
https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/
Support us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/muhh
Twitter: @unconscioushh
Instagram: @unconscioushh
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