DeepSummary
The episode begins with Stephen West discussing the distinction between the left and right political ideologies, and how they are often oversimplified. He delves into Slavoj Žižek's critique of global capitalism and how it shapes desire and identity. Žižek argues that capitalism is a genius system that leverages human psychology to create perpetual desire for commodities, essentially acting as a religious or ethical dimension.
West explains Žižek's view that the antagonism between the ruling class and the exploited class is essential for capitalism to function, contradicting the idea of democratic socialism resolving this issue. Žižek believes that removing the exploited class would fundamentally change the system, making it something other than capitalism.
Towards the end, West discusses Žižek's self-description as a "moderately conservative communist." Žižek advocates for the abolition of the present state of things but is cautious about hastily implementing new ideas without proper consideration, learning from the mistakes of past revolutions.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Žižek critiques the oversimplification of left and right political ideologies, urging a more nuanced understanding of complex global issues.
- Global capitalism is a genius system that leverages human psychology to create perpetual desire for commodities, essentially acting as a religious or ethical dimension.
- The antagonism between the ruling class and the exploited class is essential for capitalism to function, contradicting the idea of democratic socialism resolving this issue.
- Žižek advocates for the abolition of the present state of things but with careful consideration, learning from the mistakes of past revolutions.
- Žižek describes himself as a "moderately conservative communist," cautious about hastily implementing new ideas without proper consideration.
- Žižek believes that removing the exploited class would fundamentally change the system, making it something other than capitalism.
- Žižek argues that global capitalism thrives on the exploitation of marginalized groups to maintain wealth and power for the elite.
- The episode encourages a deeper understanding of Žižek's perspective on global capitalism, desire, identity, and the potential for radical social change.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I always try to be respectful of your time and the ideas. Look, I promise if you stick with it, it'll all come together by the end of the episode.“ by Stephen West
- “Global capitalism, to Zizek, absolutely thrives on the constant creation and recreation of the other, which then ensures a constant flow of this cheap labor and resources from people that are in a state of dependency, which then further maintains the concentration of wealth and power in developed nations and in the hands of an elite few within them.“ by Stephen West
- “He says, when you have a real understanding of what Hegel was saying about the risks involved as events unfold in the world, what you land on, a good way to describe it is to call it moderate conservatism.“ by Stephen West
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Episode Information
Philosophize This!
Stephen West
4/15/24
Today we talk about the distinction between left and right. Lacan's thoughts on desire. How Capitalism captures desire and identity. I would prefer not to. Moderately conservative communism. Hope you enjoy it! :)
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