In this interview, one of the world's most famous living philosophers, Slavoj Žižek, argues that philosophy should move away from abstract ideas and focus on what effects ideas have in practice. He also discusses his issues with cancel culture and the #MeToo movement, explains how quantum physics teaches us that history is not predetermined, and reveals his one rule for life. 

See Slavoj Žižek debate The Mystery of the Self and Body at our HowTheLightGetsIn Festival this coming May 22nd-25th, alongside hundreds of other debates, talks, with comedy and music. Find out more here.

In an age where science and psychology have such a prominent position in society, how should we think about the role of philosophy today?

I always repeat, I don't think philosophy can provide big answers. As a philosopher, my point is not some divine Platonic ideas, but a very practical orientation. Okay, you are saying this—what does it mean in practice?

This is especially the case with regard to feminism, here things may get me into trouble. I can say honestly, despite all my bad jokes, I’m totally pro-feminist. But I always suspect that with what we vaguely identify as “woke” or “cancel culture” and so on, there is something upper-middle-class in it. The secret targets are ordinary people. For example, in the United States, in a typical discourse at the university, of course their secret target is: “But, you know, Hispanics, how they treat women…”

I always like to use this example. What I didn't like about #MeToo—and many women accept my argument joyfully—is this: for me, the tragedy is not if you are a rising movie star and the producer tells you “go to bed with me, otherwise you don't get the role.” Okay, it can hurt your career. But it isn't the true horror.

Imagine you are a woman, you are in your early 30s. From a male chauvinist standpoint you are, I’m sorry to say this, losing your attraction (it’s not my personal opinion, I prefer older women, in the dirty sense). You have a husband who doesn’t hate you, but who more and more ignores you. And then, of course, it’s this silent agreement—you have to do a lot of jobs at home, and you don’t love him, and he doesn’t love you. But since he earns more money and you have two children, what hope is there for you? You cannot leave your children. This is the true horror for me. You know, this everyday consternation.

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We live in an open situation. It’s up to us. History is not pre-determined.

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That's why, although they were fascist and I don't like Peronists in Argentina, Evita Peron did one wonderful thing. In 1950, it was the first country in the world to do this, she introduced a law that when women have their period, if they are employed, they get two days free.

You know, for me, ideology is not something abstract: “Are you she, they or what?” It’s these daily material practices where there is true subordination. And here we philosophers should enter, I think.