Why we are getting more stupid | Slavoj Žižek FULL INTERVIEW

About this video

• Video Title: Why we are getting more stupid | Slavoj Žižek FULL INTERVIEW
• Channel: The Institute of Art and Ideas
• Speakers: Slavoj Žižek
• Duration: 00:38:19

Overview

In this interview, Slavoj Žižek discusses the role of philosophy in contemporary society, its relationship with science and politics, and his critique of the notion of "progress." He argues that philosophy's primary function is to question the way problems are framed and to analyze the concrete, daily practices that reveal societal issues. Žižek also touches upon the impact of artificial intelligence, the concept of rationality, the use of humor in philosophical discourse, and his personal approach to productivity.

Key takeaways

• Philosophy's Role: Žižek emphasizes that philosophy doesn't offer grand answers but should question how problems are formulated and focus on concrete, daily practices that expose deeper issues, citing ecological and feminist concerns as examples.
• Critique of Progress: He challenges the idea of linear progress, suggesting that it's a narrative constructed retrospectively and that one must always question who pays the price for perceived progress.
• AI and the Future of Humanity: Žižek expresses concern about the increasing integration of AI, particularly the potential for direct control over human thought and its implications for freedom and the definition of being human.
• Rationality and Its Limits: While advocating for rationality, he points out that it must be dialectical, questioning its own presuppositions, and that a purely instrumental rationality can be self-sabotaging, as seen in the pursuit of happiness.
• Humor in Philosophy: He believes that humor, particularly dark humor and the structure of jokes, is immanent to philosophical thought, serving as a way to cope with a crazy and paradoxical reality.