In this discussion, Thomas Sutherland, a digital media lecturer and author, delves into the intriguing world of philosopher Peter Sloterdijk. They dissect Sloterdijk's thoughts on cynicism and its relevance today. Sutherland explores the concept of spheres, highlighting our interconnected existence. He emphasizes the idea of the 'practising life' to reflect on self-transformation. Together, they analyze how philosophy can serve as a form of wisdom, balancing its strengths and weaknesses in navigating contemporary life.
Peter Sloterdijk critiques modern cynicism by advocating for a practical philosophy that encourages active self-transformation and engagement with existence.
His Spheres trilogy emphasizes the importance of social spaces in shaping identities, promoting coexistence over individualism and highlighting interconnected human experiences.
In 'You Must Change Your Life,' Sloterdijk links personal growth to everyday practices, urging recognition of ordinary routines as vital to transformation and ethical development.
Deep dives
Exploring the Influence of Peter Sloterdijk
Peter Sloterdijk is presented as a significant and controversial figure in contemporary philosophy, known for his departure from traditional critical theory. His work critiques cynicism, emphasizing the importance of a practical approach to philosophy that encourages individuals to engage with their existence. Sloterdijk advocates for what he calls a 'practicing life,' where philosophy transcends academia and directly contributes to self-improvement and understanding the human condition. This shift toward practice, rather than purely theoretical discourse, positions Sloterdijk as an essential voice in contemporary philosophical discussions.
The Critique of Cynical Reason
Sloterdijk's critique of cynicism addresses modern disillusionment with philosophical ideals, arguing that many individuals recognize the falsehoods of their beliefs yet remain inert. He introduces the concept of 'enlightened false consciousness,' where people understand the critiques of ideology but fail to change their behavior accordingly. This resigned state is seen as a dangerous form of cynicism that stifles growth and possibility, ultimately leading to a stagnant intellectual environment. By contrasting this with a more active engagement in self-transformation, Sloterdijk challenges listeners to seek a more authentic existence.
The Spheres Trilogy: A New Ontology
In the Spheres trilogy, Sloterdijk explores our inherently social existence, positing that human beings exist within shared 'spheres' or symbolic spaces that shape our identities and interactions. He critiques modern individualism by reestablishing the importance of our collective experiences and the environments we create. Through this lens, Sloterdijk promotes the idea of coexistence as a fundamental aspect of being, contrasting it with ideologies that focus solely on the individual. This spatial ontology underscores the interconnectedness of human experiences and suggests that meaningful existence arises from our shared contexts.
You Must Change Your Life: The Pursuit of Practice
In 'You Must Change Your Life,' Sloterdijk argues that the essence of being human lies in our capacity to transform ourselves actively. He emphasizes the importance of practice — be it physical, mental, or spiritual — in fostering personal growth and ethical development. By drawing connections between various forms of practice, he undermines the artificial distinctions that often separate them, positioning the pursuit of personal excellence as a universal quest. However, this Nietzschean perspective raises critiques about the valorization of certain practices over others, challenging listeners to rethink the implications of such hierarchical frameworks.
Integrating Imminence and Excellence in Practice
A discussion emerges around how to reconcile Sloterdijk's vision of continual striving for excellence with a more grounded view of practice that respects ordinary routines. Proposing an imminent approach suggests valuing everyday practices and recognizing that transformations occur within the mundanity of life rather than solely through extraordinary efforts. This perspective allows for a broader understanding of personal growth and encourages inclusivity rather than elitism in the discourse surrounding practices. The challenge remains to appreciate both the aspirational aspects and the everyday realities of human existence, fostering a philosophy that honors both the pursuit of excellence and the significance of routine.
Today’s guest is Dr Thomas Sutherland, author of the Bloomsbury title, Speaking Philosophically: Communication at the Limits of Discursive Reason(Bloombury, 2024), lecturer in digital media at the University of Southampton, and researcher into digital culture and the humanities, the history of philosophy and contemporary continental philosophy, and technologies of the self.
We discuss three areas that concern the odd character that is Peter Sloterdijk; namely, spheres, the practising life and his rehabilitation of philosophy as wisdom.
Dr Thomas Sutherland is a deep dabbler in Sloterdijk’s thought, having written various papers on his work, including Peter Sloterdijk and the ‘security architecture of existence’: immunity, autochthony, and ontological nativism, and Ontological co-belonging in Peter Sloterdijk's spherological philosophy of mediation. He is also familiar with a regular mention here on the podcast, François Laruelle and his non-philosophy.
We touch on;
Sloterdijk’s original work on Cynicism and why it is still relevant today
Spheres, co-existence & interdependence
The Practising Life & why ‘You Must Change your Life’
The Art of Philosophy as Wisdom
The strengths and weaknesses of Sloterdijk’s insights
