Slavoj Žižek: Don't Act. Just Think. | Big Think | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR
Capitalism as a form of religion; critique of anti-capitalism movements; importance of selecting relevant socio-political issues for debate.
Key Insights
- 🫵 Capitalism is viewed by Zizek as an ethical/religious category subordinating personal happiness to economic growth.
- 🖤 Critique of anti-capitalist movements for lacking clear alternatives to capitalism.
- 🤔 Bartleby lesson from Occupy Wall Street symbolizes a need for new thinking and solutions.
- 🍗 Warning against regressing into servitude when trying to abolish market relations.
- ❓ The importance of carefully selecting socio-political issues for debate that challenge ideology but are feasible to implement.
- ❓ Criticism of the belief that capitalism is in its last stage, with the system thriving despite decay.
- 🇪🇺 Acknowledgment of the failures of twentieth-century alternatives to capitalism like the Soviet Union.
Transcript
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Questions & Answers
Q: How does Zizek view capitalism?
Zizek sees capitalism as an ethical/religious category subordinating personal happiness to production and profit growth, akin to a form of religion.
Q: What critique does Zizek have of anti-capitalist movements?
Zizek criticizes anti-capitalist movements for lacking clear alternatives to capitalism and being unable to articulate a concrete replacement for the system.
Q: What is the Bartleby lesson from Occupy Wall Street?
The Bartleby lesson from Occupy Wall Street is the refusal to play the existing game, signaling a fundamental problem with the system and the need for new thinking.
Q: How does Zizek suggest addressing the flaws of capitalism?
Zizek advises careful consideration of socio-political issues like universal healthcare to stir public debate without being seen as utopian or promoting impossible agendas.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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Capitalism viewed as an ethical/religious category where personal happiness is subordinated to production and profit growth.
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Critique of critics of capitalism lacking clear alternatives and the Bartleby lesson from Occupy Wall Street.
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Warning against regressing into servitude when trying to abolish market relations.
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