Why Theory

Why Theory brings continental philosophy and psychoanalytic theory together to examine cultural phenomena.

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224 episodes
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Episodes224

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Dec 16, 2018 · 1 hr 14 min
Theoretically Christmas (side B)
In this conclusion of their discussion of the Christmas film, Ryan and Todd begin with the film Die Hard and the problem of racism, move to an analysis of White Christmas as an anti-war film, and conclude with a celebration of Ernst Lubitsch's underrated Shop Around the Corner, as the ultimate Christmas film. Its great achievement is that it reveals how the depiction of the symbolic father's castration opens the path from the logic of cynical capitalism to love. This episode interprets these three films at length and wraps up Ryan and Todd's discussion of the Christmas film as a distinct genre.
Dec 12, 2018 · 1 hr 13 min
Theoretically Christmas (side A)
In this episode, Ryan and Todd explore the idea of the Christmas film through psychoanalysis and Hegel. They begin by theorizing the Christmas film as such and then focus on two (of five total that they will analyze)--"Three Days of the Condor" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Rather than engage in an ideological critique of the Christmas film, this episode looks at its hidden radicality.
Nov 21, 2018 · 1 hr 17 min
(Neo)liberalism
In this episode, Ryan and Todd debate the political viability of the term "Neoliberalism." They explore what neoliberalism signifies and whether or not this signifier can function as a building block for the contemporary Left. The episode also delves into the terms used for leftism--like progressivism and emancipatory politics--in order to understand which might be most appropriate.
Nov 12, 2018 · 1 hr 10 min
Das Ding
Quick note: This episode was distance recorded in a way different from other Why Theory episodes. Technology was not our friend before this recording, so the audio quality may be somewhat lesser than other episodes. We apologize for that. We do not, however, apologize for the content, which benefited from the presence of theorist Richard Boothby, who added his expertise to a discussion of the concept of das Ding. Ryan, Todd, and Rick probe the ethical and political implications of das Ding, as well as locating its place in the development of Lacan's thought.
Oct 29, 2018 · 1 hr 21 min
Rupture
In this episode, Todd and Ryan discuss the theoretical idea of rupture. Further topics include: the difference between rupture and event; the difference between Badiou and Zizek (which might be the difference between event and act); and the political implications of thinking through rupture. As always, thank you all so much for listening.
Oct 12, 2018 · 1 hr 12 min
Surveillance, Punishment, Crime
On this episode, Todd and I discuss the interrelated terms of surveillance, punishment, and crime. We try to work through these terms from psychoanalytic theory (focusing on enjoyment, of course) against the more common Foucauldian understanding of these terms (which is always through a notion of power). Thanks so much for listening! We hope you enjoy the conversation.
Oct 5, 2018 · 1 hr 5 min
Dialectics
In this episode, Todd and I discuss dialectics (as the title of the episode implies). After charting the historical development of the term, we focus on the different roles dialectics play for Kant and Hegel. Later, we finish the episode by talking about how Lacan's dialectical thinking manifests itself in his theory. This was a listener suggested episode. Shout outs to Ken in Birmingham and Sean in Dublin. Thanks so much for listening!
Sep 15, 2018 · 1 hr 2 min
Desire & Drive
In this episode, Todd and I work through two of psychoanalytic theory's most fundamental terms: desire and drive. Despite how fundamental these terms are there exists a fair amount of disagreement. Far from being generally agreed upon first principles, desire and drive are consistent sites for some of psychoanalysis's most interesting interventions (e.g. Alenka Zupancic's What is Sex? and Lee Edelman's No Future, both discussed in this episode). As always: thanks so much for listening! We very much appreciate it.
Aug 31, 2018 · 1 hr 6 min
Political Enjoyment
On this episode, Todd and I discuss enjoyment in contemporary politics. Working through enjoyment as a psychoanalytic idea, this episode focuses on the appeal of Trump, the lack of enjoyment in the Democratic party position, and how constricting secular morality is for the left, as opposed to the paradoxically less dogmatic religious morality of the right.
Aug 16, 2018 · 1 hr 6 min
Master Signifier
Thanks for tuning in to Why Theory. On this episode, Todd and I discuss three interrelated terms: the master signifier, the quilting point, and the universal. Our conversation starts with a discussion of Lacan’s development of the master signifier and his curious abandonment of the quilting point. In the middle portion of the episode, we get stuck in to the different ways the master signifier has been articulated as a political term before concluding with a discussion about the universal that harkens back to our previous episode. Lots of moving parts in this episode but I think it’s our most comprehensive to date. As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the conversation.
Jul 27, 2018 · 56 min
The Universal and The Particular
In this episode, Todd and Ryan theorize the universal and particular as political concepts. The particular aims at aggregating an "all" and accepts the political situation or sphere for what it is. The universal confronts how the existing political sphere is even constituted. This episode urges a recalibration for the American left around universalist movements like Black Lives Matter--which confronts how constitutive racism is of both American society and capitalism in general--and against "whack-a-mole" politics (i.e. that which is typically aimed at holding individual perpetuators of inequality responsible for their actions without addressing the larger structure (capital) that keeps that inequality in tact.) Suggestions for Further Reading: Hegel, The Encyclopedia Logic (Cambridge currently refers to this by the accurate but clunky AF title: Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences in Basic Outline Part I: Science of Logic) Francois Julien, On the Universal Susan Buck-Morss, Hegel, Haiti, and Universal History Alenka Zupancic, What is Sex? Alain Badiou, Theory of the Subject Todd McGowan, (Forthcoming essay. Will update this shortly.)
Jul 14, 2018 · 1 hr 3 min
Where to Start 3: Heidegger, Badiou, Agamben, Butler, Derrida
On this episode, Todd and Ryan discuss the following thinkers: Martin Heidegger (Start to 18 minutes) Recommended: Being and Time Alain Badiou (18 min to 35) Recommended: Philosophy and Event, Saint Paul: The Foundation of Universalism, Theory of the Subject Giorgio Agamben (35 to 43:40) Recommended: Homo Sacer, Means Without Ends Judith Butler (43:55 to 55ish) Recommended: Gender Trouble, Subjects of Desire Jacques Derrida (56 to End) Recommended: Specters of Marx, Positions, "Freud and the Scene of Writing"
Jun 17, 2018 · 58 min
Sports: Ideology, Enjoyment, Contradiction
Just in time for the World Cup to have already started comes this episode of Why Theory on Sports, Ideology, Enjoyment, and Contradiction. Todd and I are huge sports fans and teased an episode on sports and theory all the way back in our first episode on theories of comedy. We hope this conversation is worth the wait. As always, thanks so much for listening.
May 18, 2018 · 1 hr 8 min
Where to Start 2: Hegel, Marx, Fanon, Deleuze, Foucault
Discussed in this episode: Hegel, Marx, Fanon, Deleuze, Foucault Recommended in this episode: Hegel Preface to Phenomenology of Spirit; Lesser Logic; Introduction to History of Philosophy Marx "The Commodity" from Capital vol. 1; Grundrisse; The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte Fanon Black Skin, White Mask; The Wretched of the Earth Deleuze "The Death Instinct" from Coldness and Cruelty; Difference & Repetition; Spinoza: Practical Philosophy Foucault Discipline & Punish Listen to hear what is NOT recommended!
May 9, 2018 · 1 hr 28 min
Where to Start 1: The Psychoanalytic Theorists
Thanks for joining us on Why Theory. In this episode, Todd and I give a few recommendations on where to start and where not start introductory readings from six psychoanalytic theorists: Freud, Lacan, Slavoj Zizek, Joan Copjec, Alenka Zupancic, and Mari Ruti. This is the first iteration of what will hopefully be a mini series on where to start and where not to start with different thinkers. We both think this is a fine start but who are we to judge. Thanks for listening, as always. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Recommended in this episode: Freud: "A Note Upon the Mystic Writing Pad," "Negation," "Fetishism," The Interpretation of Dreams Lacan: The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, Anxiety Zizek: Looking Awry, The Plague of Fantasies, The Fright of Real Tears, The Parallax View, Less Than Nothing Copjec: "The Orthopsychic Subject," "Sex and the Euthanasia of Reason" Zupancic: The Odd One In, Ethics of the Real Ruti: The Call of Character: Living a Life Worth Living; Between Levinas and Lacan: Self, Other, Ethics; The Ethics of Opting Out
Apr 19, 2018 · 1 hr 14 min
CGI, Anxiety, The Last Jedi
As Freud famously said to Jung upon their arrival in the United States for a lecture series at Clark University, “They don’t realize we are bringing them the plague.” Now, lots of people say Freud never said this, upon seeing the Statue of Liberty, referring to psychoanalysis as “the plague,” but Lacan said that Jung said that Freud said it, and who among us is going to let a possibly dodgy game of telephone get in the way of a good story? Either way, bringing the plague to your ears is this episode of Why Theory. Recorded with special guest Hugh Manon of Clark University, the only place Freud ever lectured in America, we discuss CGI, Anxiety, The Last Jedi and a whole bunch of other stuff. Get excited. Get the plague and, as always, thanks for listening.
Feb 28, 2018 · 1 hr 11 min
The Oscars in 2018 and Beyond
On this episode, Todd and Ryan discuss the Oscars. They make an argument for the importance of this oftentimes maddening awards ceremony by going over famous slights in Oscars history, like Citizen Kane not winning best picture, while Todd makes the claim that 1989 might be the greatest year in film history. The latter half of the episode sees us give extended takes on a number of the best picture nominees from 2017, with the most substantive conversation centering on The Shape of Water and Get Out.
Feb 1, 2018 · 1 hr 2 min
Ideology
On this episode, Todd and Ryan discuss ideology and ideology critique. They begin with basic definitions and move on to cultural political analyses of ideology today. They end with a brief discussion of race and racism and a full throated endorsement of Karen and Barbara Fields’ 2014 book Racecraft. In fact, don’t listen to this podcast. Buy that book instead. Thanks for listening. We hope you all enjoy the conversation.
Jan 9, 2018 · 1 hr 5 min
Seriality
On this episode, Todd gives Ryan the floor to discuss my dissertation research on seriality. The conversation focuses on the effects of the serial form, the trouble with endings, and the unexplored resonances that the serial form has with psychoanalytic theory. A lot of these ideas are in development so listen to Ryan move from being totally articulate and professional to saying “like” as though it was machine gun fire while he tries to bridge one thought to the next. Again, thanks for listening. Hope you all enjoy the conversation.
Dec 26, 2017 · 55 min
Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not to Be
In this episode, Todd and Ryan discuss Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not to Be. After a brief-ish plot run through, Todd and Ryan talk about the radicality of Lubitsch's film and how it offers an effective and theoretically rich gloss on issues of the copy and authenticity(among other things). They attempt to justify the claim that this film is the greatest comedy in the history of cinema.