Idiosyncratic, post-modern, bizarre and intellectual; all of these words can be used for, or against, Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek. In gaining mainstream popularity, he is known for often outlandishly profound commentary on the political and cultural mainstream; his scathing criticism of political figures perfectly cordialized with a playful kind of humour.
Here, in this listicle, it is my job to give you the best quotes from the prodigal son of Diogenes - quotes that point to his signature style, rhetoric and what we can uncover beneath the zany and ever-unorthodox character.
1). “Trump is a liberal fetish”
Famously critical of American politics, Zizek’s odd comment here would be unexpected from anyone else but him. During an interview from UnHerd, he draws from Jacques Lacan’s idea of a “fetish”; of how jealousy, or hatred, is necessary for the ego of those who exhibit these feelings. In a real sense, it nurtures the ego’s sense of self justification and identity, which Zizek applies to liberals in modern day America. Liberals, he says, need Trump because it provides a target for hatred, rather than addressing the systemic conditions of their politics which leads to populist figures like Trump.
2). “Sex without love is masturbation”
Zizek has never shied from sexual innuendo or outright comment. Referring to what he considers a “postmodern, permissive pragmatic etiquette towards sex”, he expressed disdain for the lack of “absolute passion” in sex in modern Western attitudes towards sexual behaviour. Doubling down on his attitude, he said “I’m ready to sell my mother into slavery just to fuck you forever.” A truly hopeless romantic.
3). “If you have reasons to love someone, you don’t love them”
Provocations aside, Zizek does take his attitude to love seriously. Appealing to theological fervour, Zizek draws the parallel between religion and love. To love someone, he says, is an act of faith. Once there becomes a logical reason to love someone, it stops becoming love - just as to find God to be logically existent, belief is no longer a necessity.
4). “Christianity is the religion of the death of God”
Zizek, as previously seen, enjoys performing psychoanalysis on religion. He views Christianity, with the death of Jesus, literally; of God dying and existing as the holy ghost, a form omnipresent in all humans - an establishment of a communal identity. Ever drawing upon Marxism, he concludes the statement with: “the idea of the Holy Ghost is the first primordial form of the communist party!”
5). “Wisdom is the most conformist thing you can have”
Closing off this list, it is right to show Zizek as a complete non-conformist - if the other quotes hadn’t shown you already. Arguing against wisdom, he points that it is simply a dressing of a perspective - that one could say variations of opposing things, and all would be considered wise. Wisdom, he seems to argue, is simply a matter of convincing another of your ideology and accepting its inverse. Expressing his admiration for Jesus again, he said “whatever Jesus Christ was, he was not a wise guy.”
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