On Politics and Theology: Slavoj Žižek and Cornel West in Conversation
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Published 2024-04-18
Why are so many essays entitled "a politico-theological treatise"? The answer is simple: Theory becomes theology when it is a subjective political engagement. As Kierkegaard once pointed out, one doesn't acquire faith in Christ after comparing different religions and choosing Christianity. The reasons to embrace Christianity are only apparent after one has become a believer. The same holds for Marxism. One doesn't become a Marxist after objectively surveying history. Instead, becoming a Marxist exposes the reasons for this philosophy. But if this is true, what is the difference between theory and theology? By extension, is an atheist theology possible? And, if so, might Slavoj Žižek, an atheist, be as much a philosopher and theologian as Cornel West, a Christian?
This event was produced by Udi Aloni and Yuli Aloni Primor.
Art by Yuli Aloni Primor.
Presented by Culture and Media at Eugene Lang College, Liberal Studies at The New School for Social Research, and the School of Undergraduate Studies at the Schools of Public Engagement.
All Comments (21)
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"I write in an ecological way... recycling, plagiarizing myself" LMAO
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Loved Cornell West's point that what really concerns us is not "evil" in itself, but catastrophe -- evil without harm would simply be an idiosyncrasy, good that harms a frustrating tragedy.
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"(Slavoj,) You are kind & gentle." - Dr Cornel West. Such wonderful, beautiful, utterly remarkable respect in this conversation. All the love in the world.
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We need to get all of these talks together and make an open access box set to Zizeks talks, people will one day talk about Zizek the way he talks about Hegel and Marx.
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Not all intellectuals are of the same quality and Žižek is a rare earth mineral.
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Best audio for a workout… I love these two and hearing ideas.
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Thank you. This was fantastic. I was riveted from beginning to end. Cornell West is masterful. His public political rhetoric does not reveal his scholarly depth and integrity. What I would give to work and study with him!
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thanks for the upload
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22:57 they're finally on stage
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Probably the best discussion by two of my favorite people in the world I have heard in years.
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On the topic of Western Buddhism Zezek mentions around 50:00 it's worth noting that D.T. Suzuki the Japanese author who was Alan Watt's greatest influence (and thus the West's) had a history of trying to fit Buddhism with Imperial Japan's quest for military dominance over Asia. In other words Buddhism, despite its genuine commitment to compassion, is an ideology that can be reformed to fit dark outcomes.
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This was fantastic!
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Cornell West is a poet of the finest order. These two are so unique in their personal histories, idiosyncratic worldviews, and their very particular use of language. To me it seems clear West (who grew up in the baptist tradition) is there to posit a theologically Christian/leftist position in contrast to zizeks atheistic Christianity... Absolutely wonderful.
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It’s amazing how much more coherent Zizek is when you sit him next to West
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god bless them all
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Thanks for full post of this 🙏 dream team
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I love the moderator letting Zizek and Cornel West sit next to each other
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I enjoyed this
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"How is that point connected to what we were talking about?" wins the the conversation. lol :)
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I love West on the blues man... so beautiful
