Freedom cover art

Freedom

A Disease Without Cure

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

Freedom

By: Slavoj Žižek
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £15.40

Buy Now for £15.40

We are all afraid that new dangers pose a threat to our hard-won freedoms, so what deserves attention is precisely the notion of freedom.

The concept of freedom is deceptively simple. We think we understand it, but the moment we try and define it we encounter contradictions. In this new philosophical exploration, Slavoj Žižek argues that the experience of true, radical freedom is transient and fragile. Countering the idea of libertarian individualism, Žižek draws on philosophers Hegel, Kierkegaard and Heidegger, as well as the work of Kandinsky and Agatha Christie to examine the many facets of freedom and what we can learn from each of them.

Today, with the latest advances in digital control, our social activity can be controlled and regulated to such a degree that the liberal notion of a free individual becomes obsolete and even meaningless. How will we be obliged to reinvent (or limit) the contours of our freedom?

Tracing its connection to everything from capitalism and war to the state and environmental breakdown, Žižek takes us on an illuminating and entertaining journey that shows how a deeper understanding of freedom can offer hope in dark times.©2023 Slavoj Žižek (P)2026 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Christianity Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Society Freedom Liberalism Capitalism Socialism
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c

Critic reviews

One of the most industrious social and cultural theorists of the past couple of decades … [his book] will interest anyone who reflects on the state of the world, and especially on how contemporary reality is changing and can be changed. For all sociologists, reading this provides essential general theoretical knowledge about society.
All stars
Most relevant
I agree with lots of Zizek’s politics though not all. But even while leaning in his direction mostly, it’s still at times alarming to hear how sometimes blindly partisan and tribal his views here sometimes become. In this book he expresses at least two shocks which alienated me: he asserts that police should’ve cracked down with fuller force at some protest points when from the right (but presumably not when left?!). I think when protest is under threat in many places, calling for fuller force against your foes while defending protest freedom for your allies is dangerously tribal. Police response should always be directly proportionate - i.e. whatever is minimally required to keep citizens safe. Then he says “the most despicable in our society are peaceniks like Chomsky and Varikfalous”- sorry Zizek - when you condemn calls for peace as despicable you lose this reader.
Zizek is almost uniquely prolific, and if you watch his interviews or talks on YouTube you can see how fast his manic (albeit fascinating) racing thoughts run. But he is at his most compelling when at his most thoughtful, when encouraged to think and then speak or write rather than splurge unfiltered. Perhaps editors and publishers could guide this truly brilliant mind to maintain quality over quantity.

Bit partisan and not his sharpest most thoughtful writing, more sporadic musings.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.