SLAVOJ ŽIŽEK debates The Monstrosity of Christ: Paradox or Dialectic? April 20, 2009

Harvard Book Store is once again delighted to welcome renowned philosopher and critic SLAVOJ ŽIŽEK for a discussion of his new book, in which he debates the very meaning of theology, Christ, the Church, the Holy Ghost, universality, and the foundations of logic with theologian John Millbank.
In one corner, there stands Žižek, who represents the critical-materialist stance against religion's illusions; in the other corner, "radical orthodox" theologian John Milbank, an influential and provocative thinker, argues that theology is the only foundation upon which knowledge, politics, and ethics can stand.
In The Monstrosity of Christ, Žižek and Milbank go head to head for three rounds, employing an impressive arsenal of moves to advance their positions and press their respective advantages. By the closing bell, they have proven themselves worthy adversaries--and have also shown that faith and reason are not simply and intractably opposed.
"In this dazzling dialogue, Žižek and Milbank change words and cross swords, until the point where both recognize that Christ and Hegel, in their monstrosity, look very much alike. A phenomenal achievement!" —Catherine Malabou, Maître de Conferences, Philosophy Department, Université Paris-X Nanterre

"The contemporary return to the theological most dramatically occurs in this book, as Žižek fully realizes his earlier Hegelian and Lacanian theological work, a work that Milbank can essentially know as a uniquely modern expression of nihilism. Nonetheless Milbank enters into a genuine theological dialogue with this nihilism, and a truly new theological discourse occurs. This effects a paradoxical union between orthodoxy and heterodoxy, and between radical orthodoxy and radical heterodoxy, which is perhaps the deepest motif of the contemporary return to the theological." —Thomas J. J. Altizer (Godhead and the Nothing)

Official Website: http://www.harvard.com/events/press_release.php?id=2252