Slavoj Zizek comments on why present leftism is insufficient and too self-congratulatory to damage capitalism. He encourages the evolution of 20th century revolutionary ideals into something more sophisticated in order to prevent both the disasters inaction as well as mindless moralizing will lead to. Of Zizek’s lectures, this one is perhaps his most passionately delivered and pithy.
“Science thrives on actively encouraging criticism – scientists should not have to be constantly looking over their shoulder.”
Richard Dawkins address to the Liberal Democrat Party conference in September 2009, arguing in support of a motion to restrict the scope of libel laws used maliciously to undermine the supremacy of scientific investigation and understanding. (A shortened version of the transcript follows the video below).
“‘Only Socrates knew, after a lifetime of unceasing labour, that he was ignorant. Now every high school student knows that. How did it become so easy?’”
by Dennis Hayes (reposted from battleofideas.org.uk)
In Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, Harold Bloom draws our attention to a contemporary irony in Othello’s famous cry, on losing his sense of personal honour, that ‘Othello’s occupation’s gone’ (1). The irony is that for most contemporary audiences Othello’s profession has gone before the play begins. Military values, the honour and the glory of war, of being a general in the Venetian army, or any other, are ones that elicit no sympathy today.
I want to cry the same about the occupation of philosophy, but for entirely the opposite reason. Philosophy now seems to have become very popular. The spate of philosophy books being published for the ordinary reader, and an increased interest in teaching philosophy from primary school to university, encourages the thought that the profession of philosopher is at its zenith. However, it would be an act of self-delusion for philosophers to think that everyone wants to be a Socrates now, and I want to claim that ‘Plato’s profession’s gone!’
Historian Howard Zinn discusses three US wars that are beyond criticism, even in the current ideological climate: the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War II.
Philosopher Slavoj Zizek considers the inadequacies of prevailing environmentalist thinking, and makes his own recommendation for what needs to be done to avoid ecological collapse.
