Zizek and the Rhetorical Unconscious Global Politics, Philosophy, an
This book builds on a critique of Slavoj Zizek’s work to outline a new theory of psychoanalytic rhetoric. It turns to Zizek because not only is he one of the most popular intellectuals in the world, but, this book argues, his discourse is shaped by a set
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Robert Samuels
Zizek and the Rhetorical Unconscious
Robert Samuels
Zizek and the Rhetorical Unconscious Global Politics, Philosophy, and Subjectivity
Robert Samuels Writing Program University of California, Santa Barbara Goleta, CA, USA
ISBN 978-3-030-50909-5 ISBN 978-3-030-50910-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50910-1 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover pattern © Melisa Hasan This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Contents
1 Introduction 1 2 Catharsis: The Politics of Enjoyment 7 3 Pathos, Hysteria, and the Left33 4 Ethos, Transference, and Liberal Cynicism49 5 Logos, Global Justice, and the Reality Principle65 6 Conclusion: Communism or Commonism?87 Index93
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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Abstract The book uses a critique of Slavoj Zizek’s work in order to outline a theory of psychoanalytic rhetoric. I turn to Zizek because not only is he one of the most popular intellectuals in the world, but his discourse is shaped by a set of unconscious rhetorical processes that also determine much of contemporary of politics, culture, and subjectivity. Just as Aristotle argued that the three main forms of persuasion are logos (reason), pathos (emotion), and ethos (authority), I posit that each one of these aspects of communication is related to a fundamental psychoanalytic concept. Moreover, I turn to Aristotle’s work on theater to posit a fourth form of rhetoric, catharsis, which is the purging of feelings of fear and pity. Keywords Zizek • Rhetoric • Ethos • Pathos • Catharsis • Logos This book uses a critique of Slavoj Zizek’s
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