Slavoj Žižek: Live Theory

by Rex Butler

Slavoj Žižek is undoubtedly one of the world's leading cultural critics. His witty, psychoanalytically-inspired analyses of contemporary society have almost single-handedly revived the notion of ideology. His brilliant commentaries on the French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan and the 19th century German Idealists have brought alive their often difficult ideas for a new generation of readers. But does Žižek have anything to say in his own right? Is there a system of thought that we can properly call " Žižekian"? This book argues that there is, through a reading of two terms in his work-the master-signifier and the act. Featuring an interview with Žižek himself, Slavoj Žiž Live Theory presents a snapshot of the Žižek system ideal for undergraduates in social and cultural theory and philosophy.

Genres: Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, albeit currently, dated, elaboration and structuring of Zizek's philosophy as a Zizekian philosophy. Rex Butler's style is rather academic and sustained in tone, and as a result manages to restrain and properly direct the kernel of discourse towards a less theatrical direction than Slavoj is always keen to jorney into. I wouldn't say that this is a perfect introduction into Zizek per se, since the best starter for those too intimidated to just deep-dive into a Sublime Object or a Less Than Nothing is still within the context of contemporaries and influences (a point addressed in the book), but it did serve as a useful method to reconstitute and invoke my understanding of Zizek without having to battle with his presentation.