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.
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insights INSIGHT
Sloterdijk's Philosophical Approach
Sloterdijk's philosophy blends anti-metaphysics with a materialist approach to history.
He views ideas not as abstract entities, but as sustained by repetitive practices.
insights INSIGHT
Cynicism and its Critique
Sloterdijk's work is an ongoing revolt against cynicism, aiming to transcend its limitations.
He critiques modern cynicism while advocating for a revived, more valuable ancient cynicism.
insights INSIGHT
Enlightened False Consciousness
Sloterdijk denounces "enlightened false consciousness," a postmodern cynicism separating words from deeds.
He critiques ideology critique's impotence and critical theory's detachment from lived experience.
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Slavoj Žižek's 'The Sublime Object of Ideology' is a complex and influential work in critical theory. It delves into the Lacanian concept of the sublime object, exploring how ideological structures shape our desires and perceptions. Žižek critiques traditional Marxist notions of ideology, offering a unique perspective on how ideology functions in contemporary society. The book is known for its challenging style and dense arguments, weaving together psychoanalysis, Hegelian dialectics, and Marxist theory. Its impact on critical theory and cultural studies is undeniable, prompting ongoing discussions and interpretations.
Critique of Cynical Reason
Critique of Cynical Reason
Peter Sloterdijk
The Art of Philosophy, Wisdom as a Practice
The Art of Philosophy, Wisdom as a Practice
Peter Sloterdijk
You Must Change Your Life
You Must Change Your Life
Peter Sloterdijk
Speaking Philosophically
Communication at the Limits of Discursive Reason
Thomas Sutherland
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
New Books in Critical Theory 
