Slavoj Žižek: "I'm generally opposed to wisdom"

Summary

The speaker in the transcript expresses a strong aversion to the concept of 'wisdom,' viewing it as conformist and justifying any action, whether successful or not. They illustrate this with proverbs and examples, highlighting the irony in society's pursuit of wisdom. The speaker also contrasts the pursuit of earthly pleasures with the contemplation of eternity, suggesting that true wisdom lies in finding eternity within the fleeting moments of life. The transcript challenges the listener to question conventional wisdom and the role of wisdom in society, with a nod to Kierkegaard and Jesus Christ as non-conformist figures.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker expresses a strong opposition to the concept of 'wisdom', viewing it as conformist and justifying actions regardless of their nature.
• 📚 Wisdom is criticized for being able to rationalize both success and failure, using proverbs and sayings to support its justifications.
• 🧐 The speaker challenges the audience with a mental experiment, suggesting that wisdom can be used to justify any perspective, making it seem both profound and trivial.
• 🌐 The transcript discusses the pursuit of earthly pleasures versus the consideration of eternity, questioning the depth of such philosophical musings.
• 💭 The speaker presents three variations on the theme of wisdom and existence, emphasizing the contrast between seeking eternal satisfaction and grasping temporary pleasures.
• 🔄 The concept of 'intermediate temporary existence' is introduced, suggesting that true wisdom lies in finding eternity within fleeting moments.
• 🤷‍♂️ The speaker implies that whatever stance one takes can be labeled as 'wisdom', highlighting the subjective and potentially empty nature of such labels.
• 📖 Reference is made to Kierkegaard and Jesus Christ, with the latter being described as not fitting the mold of a 'wise man' in the traditional sense.
• 🤝 The transcript suggests that true wisdom might be found in the rejection of conventional wisdom, aligning with the philosophies of certain thinkers and religious figures.
• 🔍 The speaker encourages the audience to question the value and authenticity of wisdom, urging them to look beyond surface-level justifications and societal norms.

Q & A

What is the speaker's general stance on wisdom?

The speaker is generally opposed to wisdom, finding it conformist and disgusting.

Why does the speaker consider wisdom to be conformist?

The speaker believes wisdom justifies any action, whether it succeeds or fails, making it a tool for conformism.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the conformist nature of wisdom?

The speaker provides examples where a wise man justifies success by saying 'only those who risk profit' and justifies failure by saying 'you cannot urinate against the wind.'

How does the speaker view the relationship between philosophers and wisdom?

The speaker suggests that philosophers, like Kierkegaard, can be against wisdom, viewing it as superficial.

What mental experiment does the speaker describe?

The speaker describes a mental experiment where different statements about eternity and earthly pleasures can all sound wise, regardless of their content.

What does the speaker imply about statements that sound wise?

The speaker implies that statements can be made to sound wise regardless of their content, suggesting the superficial nature of what is often considered wisdom.

What is the speaker's opinion on chasing earthly pleasures versus eternity?

The speaker mocks both the pursuit of earthly pleasures and the pursuit of eternity, showing how both can be framed as wise.

How does the speaker use irony in their discussion of wisdom?

The speaker uses irony to highlight the emptiness of wisdom, demonstrating how opposing statements can all be framed as wise.

What lesson does the speaker believe can be learned from Kierkegaard?

The speaker believes Kierkegaard teaches that Jesus Christ was not a wise man, challenging traditional views of wisdom.

What does the speaker mean by 'we are forever between the two wise men'?

The speaker means that people are always caught between conflicting pieces of wisdom, suggesting the relativity and futility of such advice.