num_pages: 272
description: Philosopher cultural critic and agent provocateur Slavoj iek constructs a fascinating new framework to look at the forces of violence in our world.Using history philosophy books movies Lacanian psychiatry and jokes Slavoj iek examines the ways we perceive and misperceive violence. Drawing from his unique cultural vision iek brings new light to the Paris riots of 2005; he questions the permissiveness of violence in philanthropy; in daring terms he reflects on the powerful image and determination of contemporary terrorists.Violence iek states takes three forms--subjective (crime terror) objective (racism hate-speech discrimination) and systemic (the catastrophic effects of economic and political systems)--and often one form of violence blunts our ability to see the others raising complicated questions.Does the advent of capitalism and indeed civilization cause more violence than it prevents? Is there violence in the simple idea of the neighbour? And could the appropriate form of action against violence today simply be to contemplate to think?Beginning with these and other equally contemplative questions iek discusses the inherent violence of globalization capitalism fundamentalism and language in a work that will confirm his standing as one of our most erudite and incendiary modern thinkers.
language: English
title: Violence: Six Sideways Reflections
publisher: Picador