Violence

Violence by Slavoj Žižek, published by Macmillan on July 22, 2008, is a thought-provoking exploration of the multifaceted nature of violence in contemporary society. This 262-page work delves into the perceptions and misperceptions surrounding violence, drawing from a diverse array of sources including history, philosophy, and cultural critiques. Žižek constructs a framework that examines the implications of violence, questioning its role within philanthropy, terrorism, and the broader context of globalization and capitalism.
In this edition, readers will encounter Žižek’s analysis of violence, which he categorizes into subjective, objective, and systemic forms. He raises critical questions about the relationship between civilization and violence, and whether contemplation might serve as a response to the pervasive issues of our time. Through his unique lens, Žižek addresses the complexities of racism, hate speech, and the systemic violence embedded in economic and political structures, making this work relevant for those interested in philosophy, ethics, and social science.
Official synopsis Publisher
Philosopher, cultural critic, and agent provocateur Slavoj Žižek constructs a fascinating new framework to look at the forces of violence in our world.
Using history, philosophy, books, movies, Lacanian psychiatry, and jokes, Slavoj Žižek examines the ways we perceive and misperceive violence. Drawing from his unique cultural vision, Žižek brings new light to the Paris riots of 2005; he questions the permissiveness of violence in philanthropy; in daring terms, he reflects on the powerful image and determination of contemporary terrorists.
Violence, Žižek states, takes three forms–subjective (crime, terror), objective (racism, hate-speech, discrimination), and systemic (the catastrophic effects of economic and political systems)–and often one form of violence blunts our ability to see the others, raising complicated questions.
Does the advent of capitalism and, indeed, civilization cause more violence than it prevents? Is there violence in the simple idea of “the neighbour”? And could the appropriate form of action against violence today simply be to contemplate, to think?
Beginning with these and other equally contemplative questions, Žižek discusses the inherent violence of globalization, capitalism, fundamentalism, and language, in a work that will confirm his standing as one of our most erudite and incendiary modern thinkers.
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