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The Sublime Object of Ideology

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( 5,876 ratings, 418 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Zizek explores the intricate relationship between ideology and reality. Drawing on psychoanalysis and philosophy, Zizek delves into how ideologies shape our perception of the world and influence our everyday experiences, offering a profound critique of contemporary societal structures.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$6800

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this insightful exploration of ideology's influence on our perception of reality, blending psychoanalysis, culture, and politics with a touch of humour and wit. This compelling read is perfect for anyone interested in understanding the deeper mechanisms behind societal norms and beliefs.

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Looks at the question of human agency in a postmodern world. This book explores the ideological fantasies of wholeness and exclusion which make up human society.

Exploring the ideologies fantasies of wholeness and exclusion which make up human society

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek is a groundbreaking work that delves into the intricate relationship between ideology and human agency in the contemporary postmodern world. Žižek dissects the ideological constructs that shape our perceptions of reality, making a compelling case for understanding how societal fantasies of completeness and mechanisms of exclusion operate within human society.

Žižek, often referred to as the "Elvis of cultural theory," is renowned for his incisive analyses across various disciplines, including philosophy, psychoanalysis, theology, history, and political theory. His exploration is not limited to academic realms; he also delves into film, popular culture, literature, and even jokes to elucidate his theories. This interdisciplinary approach makes his work both accessible and profoundly insightful.

The Sublime Object of Ideology is Žižek's first book, marking the advent of his distinctive voice in philosophical and ideological critique. In this provocative study, Žižek examines how ideological fantasies are not merely abstract concepts but are intricately tied to the very fabric of human society. He reveals how these fantasies construct a semblance of wholeness while simultaneously defining what is excluded or othered.

This edition, part of Verso's beautifully re-packaged classic titles, features a new introduction by Žižek himself, offering fresh insights and context to his seminal work. The text retains its relevance and continues to be a cornerstone for understanding contemporary ideology and philosophy.

Moreover, Žižek's prowess as a communicator is evident in his films, The Pervert's Guide to the Cinema and Zizek!, where he brings his theoretical concepts to life for broader audiences. These works, alongside his extensive bibliography of over 30 books, underscore his status as a leading and controversial public intellectual of our time.

The Sublime Object of Ideology is essential reading for anyone interested in the complexities of ideology and its pervasive influence on human thought and society. It stands as a testament to Žižek's ability to meld deep theoretical insights with cultural critique, offering a sophisticated yet engaging analysis of how we navigate the postmodern world.

Series: The Essential Zizek

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  • The Sublime Object of Ideology
    The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Žižek is a groundbreaking work that delves into the intricate relationship between ideology and human agency in the contemporary postmodern world. Žižek dissects the ideological constructs that shape our perceptions of reality, making a compelling case for understanding how societal fantasies of completeness and mechanisms of exclusion operate within human society. Žižek, often...
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  • Living in the End Times
    There should no longer be any doubt: global capitalism is fast approaching its terminal crisis. But if the end of capitalism seems to many like the end of the world, how is it possible for Western society to face up to the end times? In a major new analysis of our global situation, Žižek argues that our collective responses to...
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    One of the signal features of our era is the re-emergence of the 'sacred' in all its different guises, from New Age paganism to the emerging religious sensitivity within cultural and political theory. The wager of Zizek's The Fragile Absolute—published here with a new preface by the author—is that Christianity and Marxism can fight together against the contemporary onslaught of...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Sublime Object of Ideology by Slavoj Zizek is praised for its intellectual depth, compelling readability, and provocative insights into psychoanalysis and cultural theory. Zizek's work is noted for its bold confrontations and extensive grasp of popular culture, making it deeply interesting according to critics. The book is described as intellectually stimulating and masterfully exploring various social and cultural phenomena.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781844673001

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 January 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Edition: 2nd edition

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 331g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Slavoj Zizek is a Slovenian philosopher and cultural critic. He is a professor at the European Graduate School, International Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities, Birkbeck College, University of London, and a sen-ior researcher at the Institute of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. His books include Living in the End Times, First as Tragedy, Then as Farce, Less Than Nothing, six volumes of the Essential Zizek, and many more.

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