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Violence | Slavoj Žižek | Talks at Google

Talks at Google・57 minutes read

Slavoj Zizek discusses violence in societal systems, the importance of philosophy, and unconscious ideologies influencing behavior, highlighting the tension between beliefs and unknown knowns. Zizek delves into cultural ideologies, the prevalence of unconscious prejudices shaping behavior, and the need for others to believe for us, exploring various concepts from Sarah Palin to religion to advertising.

Insights

  • Zizek explores the concept of ideology as a complex network of unconscious ethical, political, and social prejudices that influence our actions and decisions, emphasizing how individuals often operate within ideological frameworks despite claims of cynicism or non-belief.
  • The text delves into the tension between explicit beliefs and unknown knowns, highlighting the significance of unconscious prejudices that shape behavior without awareness, exemplified by Zizek's analysis of Donald Rumsfeld's known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns.
  • The speaker discusses the importance of having others believe for us over personal belief, emphasizing how beliefs function through collective adherence and shared understanding, challenging the myth of complete cultural understanding while advocating for a code of discretion in multicultural interactions.

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Recent questions

  • What does Slavoj Zizek's book "Violence" explore?

    Slavoj Zizek's book "Violence" delves into systemic violence, urging readers to look beyond physical acts like gunshots and explosions to uncover the inherent violence within societal structures. He challenges individuals to examine the complex network of ethical, political, and social prejudices that unconsciously influence their behaviors and decisions, emphasizing the importance of philosophical exploration in understanding the underlying violence in modern systems.

  • How does Zizek define ideology in society?

    Zizek describes ideology as a multifaceted network of ethical, political, and social prejudices that subtly shape individuals' actions and decisions without their conscious awareness. He illustrates this concept through examples like Donald Rumsfeld's known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, highlighting the existence of "un-unknown knowns" - unconscious biases that influence behavior. Zizek emphasizes that despite claims of cynicism or disbelief, contemporary society is deeply entrenched in ideological frameworks that dictate norms and beliefs.

  • What is the significance of the tension between beliefs and unknown knowns?

    The tension between explicit beliefs and unknown knowns, as discussed by Zizek, is crucial in understanding how individuals operate within ideological frameworks. Zizek points out that even those who claim to be non-believers or cynical still adhere to societal norms and unconscious prejudices. This tension highlights the complexity of human behavior and decision-making, showcasing the subtle ways in which ideology influences individuals' actions without their explicit acknowledgment.

  • How does Zizek view the relationship between spirituality and morally questionable actions?

    Zizek explores the idea that authentic spiritual teachings can coexist with morally ambiguous behaviors, using examples like D. T. Suzuki's controversial views on military discipline and enlightenment. He suggests that individuals can embody both ruthless manipulation and authentic mysticism, drawing attention to the complexities of human nature. Zizek's analysis challenges traditional notions of spirituality and morality, inviting readers to consider the nuanced interplay between belief systems and actions.

  • What does Zizek suggest about the nature of evil in society?

    Zizek's discussion on evil, particularly in relation to Google's motto "Don't be Evil," questions conventional perceptions of evil as a disruptive force that challenges norms and structures. He interprets the injunction to "Don't be Evil" as an acknowledgment of the transformative power of actions and the potential for change within communities. Zizek's insights prompt individuals to reconsider their understanding of evil as a force that can incite positive change and reshape societal paradigms, urging a deeper exploration of the complexities inherent in human behavior and belief systems.

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Summary

00:00

"Zizek's Insights on Ideology and Violence"

  • Slavoj Zizek is a noted sociologist, philosopher, and cultural critic, currently working at the Institute of Sociology at the University of Lubljana in Slovenia and as a professor at the European Graduate School.
  • He has been a visiting professor at various universities including the University of Chicago, Columbia, and Princeton, and is the international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at Birkbeck College, University of London.
  • Zizek's recent book "Violence" delves into systemic violence, challenging readers to look beyond physical manifestations of violence like gunshots and explosions to explore the inherent violence in societal systems.
  • Zizek emphasizes the importance of philosophical exploration in the current age of technological and biological advancements, stating that philosophical questions are increasingly relevant in everyday life.
  • He discusses the concept of ideology, describing it as a complex network of ethical, political, and social prejudices that unconsciously influence our actions and decisions.
  • Zizek uses the example of Donald Rumsfeld's known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns to illustrate the idea of "un-unknown knowns," referring to unconscious prejudices that shape our behavior without our awareness.
  • He humorously analyzes the structural differences in French, German, and Anglo-Saxon toilets to demonstrate how cultural ideologies are embedded even in seemingly mundane objects.
  • Zizek highlights the prevalence of ideology in modern society, where individuals may claim to be cynical or non-believers, yet still rely on ideological beliefs to function.
  • He explains that contemporary ideology often manifests as a vague call to be authentic or realize one's potential, suggesting that people adhere to ideological norms more than they openly acknowledge.
  • Zizek concludes that despite claims of cynicism, individuals today still operate within ideological frameworks, often unconsciously following societal norms and beliefs.

14:48

Belief, Interpassivity, and Multicultural Discretion Explained

  • The tension between explicit beliefs and unknown knowns is crucial.
  • The Sarah Palin phenomenon is discussed, emphasizing the need to understand it.
  • Austrian philosopher Robert Pfaller's concept of Interpassivity is introduced.
  • Canned laughter on TV is highlighted as a mysterious phenomenon.
  • The idea that beliefs function through others believing for us is explored.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir's stance on belief in God is discussed.
  • The importance of having another believe for us is emphasized over personal belief.
  • The need for a code of discretion in multicultural interactions is proposed.
  • The myth of understanding other cultures fully is challenged.
  • The insight from psychoanalysis that truth is not in our stories about ourselves is shared.

30:08

"Duality of Manipulation and Mysticism"

  • The text discusses the mystery of individuals embodying both ruthless manipulation and authentic mysticism, citing figures like Saint Theresa and John of the Cross as examples.
  • Aldous Huxley's struggle with this duality is highlighted, leading him to criticize Christianity for potentially enabling political manipulation through its emphasis on Christ's suffering.
  • Huxley's turn towards Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhism, is mentioned, with a recommendation to read Brian Victoria's "Zen At War" for insights into the Japanese Zen community's support of military actions.
  • The text delves into D. T. Suzuki's writings, revealing his controversial views on the Japanese invasion of China and his arguments on how soldiers can psychologically prepare themselves to kill without trauma.
  • Suzuki's belief in military discipline as a path to enlightenment is discussed, emphasizing the depersonalization of violence through Buddhist enlightenment.
  • The text explores the idea that authentic spiritual teachings can coexist with morally questionable actions, using Suzuki's meditations as an example.
  • A comparison is drawn between censorship in hardcore pornography and the subtle ways in which narratives are constructed to justify explicit content while sabotaging emotional engagement.
  • The text touches on the unspoken rules and meta-rules that govern social interactions, highlighting the tension between explicit statements and implicit understandings.
  • The concept of prohibitions that are meant to be violated and statements that offer freedom on the condition of not choosing it is discussed, illustrating how social rituals and politeness shape interactions.
  • The text concludes with a reflection on the paradoxes of apologies and the nature of ideology, particularly in the context of Stalinism's sensitivity to maintaining appearances despite its brutal actions.

43:50

"Hidden Messages in Political Campaigns and Advertising"

  • Criticizing Stalin was prohibited, but announcing this prohibition publicly was even more forbidden.
  • The prohibition on criticizing Stalin was effective only if not publicly declared.
  • The speaker's friends called him Fidel, not for his communist beliefs, but after Fidel Castro.
  • Reference to the movie "They Live" by John Carpenter, where special glasses reveal the true ideological message behind advertisements.
  • The evolution of advertising from utilitarian to consumerist to self-focused in the speaker's analysis.
  • The speaker questions the authenticity of buying organic food for health benefits versus feeling good about oneself.
  • Ideological messages are often hidden beneath explicit orders, offering obscene enjoyment or bribery.
  • The speaker discusses the hidden messages in political campaigns, like the Republican Party's promise of change.
  • Sarah Palin is analyzed as a unique female politician who combines femininity with assertiveness and sarcasm.
  • The speaker criticizes Democrats for not effectively countering the Republicans' discursive strategies and appeals to emotions.

58:14

"Delivery Shapes Message: McLuhan's Influence Explored"

  • McLuhan's idea that the way a message is delivered can alter its meaning is highlighted.
  • The example of religious fundamentalists like Jimmy Swaggart is used to illustrate how the delivery of a message can contradict its content.
  • The speaker expresses regret over time constraints and the need for more discussion on democracy.
  • The importance of philosophy education in Europe during high school is emphasized.
  • The speaker discusses the need for philosophy in addressing contemporary ethical dilemmas like biogenetics and abortion.
  • The Catholic stance on biogenetics is critiqued for its inconsistency regarding the soul.
  • The speaker questions the dominance of global capitalism and the need for alternative solutions to impending crises.
  • Intellectual property issues, like those related to Bill Gates, are seen as problematic within capitalism.
  • The speaker discusses the cultural nuances of public toilets, highlighting them as indicators of civilization.
  • The different responses of leaders like Stalin and Hitler to applause are analyzed to reveal contrasting ideologies.

01:11:56

Divine Presence and Evil: A New Perspective

  • God is seen as the original proxy, knowing what individuals may not, particularly in Christ, embodying a compassionate and formal structure beyond human understanding.
  • Language itself carries a divine dimension, presupposing a divine presence as we communicate, suggesting a fundamental gap where others believe and feel on our behalf, with God representing this other dimension, as per Jacques Lacan's concept of the Big Other.
  • The notion of evil, as discussed in relation to Google's motto "Don't be Evil," questions the model of evil presupposed, suggesting that evil can be a force for change and disruption, akin to a cut in the normal flow of things, challenging traditional perceptions and norms.
  • The injunction to "Don't be Evil" is interpreted as a recognition of the radical impact and transformative nature of actions, acknowledging the potential for change and disruption in the community and human perception, ultimately residing in a space that must be embraced to truly understand and navigate the concept of evil.
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