On The Pleasure Principle In Culture

Illusions Without Owners

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book On The Pleasure Principle In Culture by Robert Pfaller, Verso Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Pfaller ISBN: 9781781682203
Publisher: Verso Books Publication: July 15, 2014
Imprint: Verso Language: English
Author: Robert Pfaller
ISBN: 9781781682203
Publisher: Verso Books
Publication: July 15, 2014
Imprint: Verso
Language: English

For many illusions, it is easy to find owners – people who proudly declare that they believe in things such as life after death, human reason, and self-regulation of financial markets. Yet there are also different kinds of illusions at work, for example, in art: trompe l’oeil-painting pleases its observers with “anonymous illusions” – illusions where it is not entirely clear who exactly it is that should be deceived.

Anonymous illusions offer a universal pleasure principle within culture: they are present in games, sport, design, eroticism, manners, charm, beauty, etc. However it seems that this pleasure principle is increasingly subjected to misrecognition: the proud proprietors of certain illusions are no longer capable of recognizing that they too follow anonymous illusions. As a consequence, they mistake happy, polite others for naïve idiots or “savages” – as owners of stupid illusions; and consider their happiness an obscene intrusion – as something in which they could never share.

Pfaller explores the strange properties of these shared illusions, and finds that they have a central and crucial role in our culture—and we need to better understand them in order to protect the public sphere.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For many illusions, it is easy to find owners – people who proudly declare that they believe in things such as life after death, human reason, and self-regulation of financial markets. Yet there are also different kinds of illusions at work, for example, in art: trompe l’oeil-painting pleases its observers with “anonymous illusions” – illusions where it is not entirely clear who exactly it is that should be deceived.

Anonymous illusions offer a universal pleasure principle within culture: they are present in games, sport, design, eroticism, manners, charm, beauty, etc. However it seems that this pleasure principle is increasingly subjected to misrecognition: the proud proprietors of certain illusions are no longer capable of recognizing that they too follow anonymous illusions. As a consequence, they mistake happy, polite others for naïve idiots or “savages” – as owners of stupid illusions; and consider their happiness an obscene intrusion – as something in which they could never share.

Pfaller explores the strange properties of these shared illusions, and finds that they have a central and crucial role in our culture—and we need to better understand them in order to protect the public sphere.

More books from Verso Books

Cover of the book The Unseen by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Mongrel Firebugs and Men of Property by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Claude Lévi-Strauss by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Tackling Rugby by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Collected Works, Volume 1 by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book The Art of Asking Your Boss for a Raise by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Fear of Mirrors by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Hegemony And Socialist Strategy by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book A Massacre in Mexico by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Revolution, Counterrevolution, and Seeds of Renewal in China by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Metaphilosophy by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Auschwitz Report by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book SCUM Manifesto by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Serve the People by Robert Pfaller
Cover of the book Masks Of Anarchy by Robert Pfaller
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy