The Truth of iek

(Paperback)

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Slavoj iek is widely regarded as one of the world's most important contemporary thinkers. His work has contributed dramatically to the reinvention and revivification of many key theoretical and political debates. Indeed, his vociferous and challenging body of work amounts to a sustained, ground-breaking, terrain-shifting and far reaching intervention into a large number of academic disciplines, intellectual fields and cultural debates. The Truth of iek addresses the rigorous critical assessment demanded by this broad and increasingly influential corpus. This timely and compelling collection of essays from an international team of leading iekian scholars addresses the full range of iek's theoretical interventions, assessing critically the political, philosophical, psychoanalytical, cultural and institutional stakes of his work. Each chapter engages with and challenges iek's thought to explicate a key aspect of his work, clarifying its importance and challenging its claims through rigorous critique. By focusing on iek's contributions to these disciplines, fields and debates, this collection sets out to diagnose and assess the emergence of a ' iekian moment' within contemporary intellectual, cultural and political events. The Truth of iek provides the first sustained engagement with and assessment of the significant impact of iek's work. This compelling and valuable collection of essays from cutting edge scholars picks up the gauntlet thrown down by iek: the demand that his readers respond with 'the coldness and cruelty of true friendship.'

Reviews

Anthologies providing context on contemporary thought and contemporary thinkers often err on the side of eulogy and submission to the reputation of the specific philosopher-hero. This collection of essays on the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj iek at least has the advantage of being a precise opposite to this usual norm. In the same way that iek's own work pulls no punches in its assessments and critiques of the other thinkers, so too this collection vehemently challenges the bases of iek's myriad claims and counter-claims. Indeed, several of the essays adopt the strategy of personalizing the argument even towards ad hominem points (a strategy iek lambasts in his Afterward). " - Dr Jones Irwin, The Philosopher
Mentioned as tie-in to film 'Zizek'. * Publishing News *

Author Bio

PAUL BOWMAN is Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at Cardiff University, UK. Richard Stamp is Lecturer in Cultural Studies and Film & Screen Studies at Bath Spa University, UK.