Alenka Zupančič

Professor of Philosophy and Psychoanalysis at The European Graduate School / EGS

Alenka Zupančič

Biography

Alenka Zupančič (b.1966) is a Lacanian philosopher and social theorist. She is a professor at The European Graduate School / EGS and at the University of Nova Gorica. As well, Zupančič is a research advisor and professor at the Institute of Philosophy at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

She graduated in philosophy from the University of Ljubljana in 1990 and received her doctoral degree in 1995. Together with Slavoj Žižek and Mladen Dolar, Zupančič is one of the most prominent members of the “Ljubljana school of psychoanalysis.” She is also a renowned Nietzsche scholar.

Important themes in Zupančič’s work include: relations between sexuality, ontology and the unconscious; critique of the theory of subject; and the theoretical exploration of the Lacanian concept of the Real. Zupančič is co-editor of the book series and editor in chief of the bi-monthly periodical of psychoanalytic theory, philosophy, and cultural studies. She is on the advisory board of Philosophy and Society as well as a fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies of Southeastern Europe at the University of Rijeka, Croatia. Since the early nineties, Zupančič has continuously published her texts in numerous psychoanalytic and philosophical anthologies and academic journals including: Filozofski vestnikNew FormationsThe American Journal of SemiologyProblemiRazpolUmbr(a),Lacanian InkIdentitetiParallax, and others.

Numerous works of Alenka Zupančič have been translated into English, but the most influential is (2003). In this work, Zupančič explores several aspects of Nietzsche’s philosophy, especially those that have found their way into our present (postmodern) condition: the death of God, the ascetic ideal, nihilism, and the relationship between Nietzsche’s philosophy and the notion of truth. She devotes particular attention to the spiritual hour that Nietzsche describes as “Noon” and claims that this is a time of “the shortest shadow” or a moment of splitting––when “One turns into Two.” According to Zupančič, the notion of the Two is extremely important in the work of Friedrich Nietzsche because it can be best described as the irreducible difference.

In her book on Immanuel Kant, (2000), Zupančič re-examines Kantian ethics with the aid of psychoanalytic vocabulary in which the Lacanian concept of the Real serves as the basis for the reinterpretation of Kantian ethics. The notion of the Real helps Zupančič to formulate her version of Kantian ethics, which she entitles “the ethics of the real.”

In (2008), Alenka Zupančič explores the inter-relationship between comedy and philosophy/psychoanalysis. Her claim is that this relationship is far from simple and it can be dated back to the lost second book of Aristotle’s that supposedly included the examination of the nature of comedy and the analysis of what is funny. Zupančič insists that comedy is inherently subversive and makes a distinction between “comedy” and “cheerfulness.” Unlike “comedy,” “cheerfulness” is described as something that is ideologically imposed and therefore fundamentally problematic. Her book provides numerous examples from both philosophy and popular culture (Borat, Hegel, George W. Bush, Freud, Aristophanes, etc.), and it describes how comedy is capable of letting the odd one in.

Alenka Zupančič’s latest book in English is (2008). The book revolves around the questions of Being, Freedom, and Comedy. In this work, Zupančič attempts to connect her earlier reinterpretation of Kantian ethics with her understanding of comedy and to outline a unique theory of the subject.

Her most recent work concerns the relationship between sexuality and ontology. According to Zupančič, Freud claims that sexuality is fundamentally problematic because it is impossible to describe it or to delineate it in precise and fixed terms. Therefore, the main characteristic of sexuality is its impossibility of being bounded or demarcated. As such, sexuality is important because it points outward toward a non-reducible ontological inconsistency.

Works

Books

The Odd One In, Zupančič, Alenka. The Odd One In: On Comedy. MIT Press. 2008. ISBN: 0262740311

Why Psychoanalysis: Three Interventions, Zupančič, Alenka. Why Psychoanalysis: Three Interventions. NSU Press, 2008. ISBN: 8787564092

Warum Psychoanalyse: Drei Interventionen, Zupančič, Alenka. Warum Psychoanalyse: Drei Interventionen. Translator Luisa Banki. Diaphanes, 2009. ISBN: 3037340665

Poetika: Druga Knjiga, Zupančič, Alenka. Poetika: Druga Knjiga. Analecta, 2005. ISBN: 9616376225

Esthétique du Désir: Éthique de la Jouissance, Zupančič, Alenka. Esthétique du Désir: Éthique de la Jouissance. Preface by Alain Badiou. Théétète Editions, 2002. ISBN: 2912860229

Realno Iluzije, Zupančič, Alenka. Realno Iluzije. Naklada Jesenski i Turk, 2001. ISBN: 9532220283

Das Reale einer Illusion, Zupančič, Alenka. Das Reale einer Illusion. Translated by Reiner Ansén. Suhrkamp, 2001. ISBN: 3518291467

Nietzsche: Filozofija Dvojega, Zupančič, Alenka. Nietzsche: Filozofija Dvojega. Društvo za teoretsko psihoanalizo, 2001. ISBN: 9616376055

En kisa gölge: Nietzsche’nin “Iki” Felsefesi, Zupančič, Alenka. En kisa gölge: Nietzsche’nin “Iki” Felsefesi. Translated by Seyhan Bozkurt. Encore, 2005. ISBN: 9759271257

The Shortest Shadow: Nietzsche’s Philosophy of the Two, Zupančič, Alenka. The Shortest Shadow. Nietzsche’s Philosophy of the Two. MIT Press, 2002. ISBN: 0262740265

Argument za Strpnost, Zupančič, Alenka. Argument za Strpnost. Društvo za teoretsko psihoanalizo, 1997

Dejanje in Zakon, Nezavedno in Pojem – Doktorska Disertacija, Zupančič, Alenka. “Dejanje in Zakon, Nezavedno in Pojem.” Advised by Slavoj Žižek. PhD Diss., University of Ljubijana, 1995.

Etika Realnega: Kant, Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. Etika realnega: Kant, Lacan. Teoretsko Psihoanalizo, 1993.

L’Ethique du Réel: Kant avec Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. L’Ethique du Réel: Kant avec Lacan. Nous, 2009. ISBN: 2913549330

Ethics of the Real: Kant, Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. Ethics of the Real: Kant, Lacan. Guy Hong Agency, 2004. ISBN: 8995459360

Riaru no Rinri: Kanto to Lakan, Zupančič, Alenka. Riaru no Rinri: Kanto to Lakan. Kawade shobou shinsha, 2003. ISBN: 4309242812

Ethics of the Real: Kant and Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. Ethics of the Real: Kant and Lacan. Verso, 2000. ISBN: 1859847242

L’être et le Rêel: Kant, Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. L’être et le Rêel: Kant, Lacan. 1997.

Ethik des Realen: Kant, Lacan, Zupančič, Alenka. Ethik des Realen: Kant, Lacan. Turia + Kant. 1995. ISBN: 3851320956

Chapters

Subekt’t i prinadenata naslada
Zupančič, Alenka. “Subekt’t i prinadenata naslada.” In edited by Nadežda Radulova, 7-30. Altera, 2007. ISBN: 9549757021

Psychoanalysis
Zupančič, Alenka. “Psychoanalysis.” In edited by Constantin V. Boundas. Edinburgh University Press, 2007. ISBN: 0748620974

Lying on the couch: psychoanalysis and the question of the lie
Zupančič, Alenka. “Lying on the couch: psychoanalysis and the question of the lie.” In edited by Jochen Mecke. Galda & Wilch, 2007. ISBN: 1931255210

Sublimierung und Gewalt
Zupančič, Alenka. “Sublimierung und Gewalt.” In edited by Anne von der Heiden. Vdg, 2006. ISBN: 3897395215

The ‘concrete universal’ and what comedy can tell us about it
Zupančič, Alenka. “The ‘concrete universal’ and what comedy can tell us about it.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek. Verso, 2006. ISBN: 1844670635

When Surplus Enjoyment Meets Surplus Value
Zupančič, Alenka. “When Surplus Enjoyment Meets Surplus Value.” In edited by Justin Clemens and Russell Grigg. Duke University Press, 2006. ISBN: 082233707X

Real-Spiel
Zupančič, Alenka. “Real-Spiel.” In edited by Felix Ensslin, 200-211. Theater der Zeit, 2006. ISBN: 3934344666

Die Rekonstruktion der Kömedie
Zupančič, Alenka. “Die Rekonstruktion der Kömedie.” In Sonderzahl, 2005. ISBN: 385449226X

Die Antinomie von Laster und Selbstmord
Zupančič, Alenka. “Die Antinomie von Laster und Selbstmord.” In edited by Anne von der Heiden. Diaphanes, 2005. ISBN: 3935300816

The Fifth Condition
Zupančič, Alenka. “The Fifth Condition.” In edited by Peter Hallward. Continuum, 2004. ISBN: 0826459064

Ethics and Tragedy in Lacan
Zupančič, Alenka. “Ethics and Tragedy in Lacan.” In Cambridge University Press, 2003. ISBN: 0521807441

Éthique et tragédie chez Lacan
Zupančič, Alenka. “Éthique et tragédie chez Lacan.” In edited by Jean-Michel Rabaté, 207-225. Bayard, 2005. ISBN: 2227474963

Lacan’s heroines : Antigone and Sygne de Coûfontaine
Zupančič, Alenka. “Lacan’s heroines: Antigone and Sygne de Coûfontaine.” In edited by Slavoj Zizek. Routledge, 2002. ISBN: 0415278627

L’antinomie du vice et du suicide
Zupančič, Alenka. “L’antinomie du vice et du suicide.” In edited by Geneviève Morel. Erès, 2002. ISBN: 2749200806

The case of the perforated sheet
Zupančič, Alenka. “The case of the perforated sheet.” In edited by Slavoj Zizek. Routledge, 2002. ISBN: 0415278627

Riha, Rado
Zupančič, Alenka. “Riha, Rado.” In 16. Kazalo, 2002. ISBN: 8611142888

Žižek, Slavoj
Zupančič, Alenka. “Žižek, Slavoj,” In 15. Kazalo, 2001. ISBN: 8611142888.

The case of perforated sheet
Zupančič, Alenka. “The case of perforated sheet.” In edited by Slavoj Zizek. Duke University Press, 2000. ISBN: 0822324377

The subject of the law
Zupančič, Alenka. “The subject of the law.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek, 41-73. Duke University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0822320835

Mesto tragedije v psihoanalizi: Ojdip in Sygne
Zupančič, Alenka. “Mesto tragedije v psihoanalizi: Ojdip in Sygne,” in , 171-237. Analecta. 1996. ISBN: 0822320975

Philosophers’ blind man’s buff
Zupančič, Alenka. “Philosophers’ blind man’s buff.” In edited by Renata Salecl. Duke University Press, 1996. ISBN: 0822318067

Kant with Don Juan and Sade
Zupančič, Alenka. “Kant with Don Juan and Sade.” In edited by Joan Copjec. Verso, 1995. ISBN: 1859849113

Don Juan und die Signifikanten des Geniessens
Zupančič, Alenka. “Don Juan und die Signifikanten des Geniessens.” Translated by Bernd Liepold-Mosse. In Turia & Kant, 1997. ISBN: 3851321154

Die Logik des Erhabenen
Zupančič, Alenka. “Die Logik des Erhabenen.” In edited by Mladen Dolar, 31-52. Turia & Kant. 1994. ISBN: 3851320565

A perfect place to die: theatre in Hichcock’s films
Zupančič, Alenka. “A perfect place to die: theatre in Hichcock’s films.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek, 73-105. Verso, 1992. ISBN: 0860913945

Un lugar perfecto para morir : el teatro en las peliculas de Hitchcock
Zupančič, Alenka. “Un lugar perfecto para morir : el teatro en las peliculas de Hitchcock.” In edired by Slavoj Žižek, 51-75. Manantial, 1994. ISBN: 0860915921

Ein perfekter Plaz zum Sterben : Theater in Hitchcocks Filmen
Zupančič, Alenka. “Ein perfekter Plaz zum Sterben : Theater in Hitchcocks Filmen.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek and Mladen Dolar, 70-103. Suhrkamp, 2002. ISBN: 3518291807

Luščee mesto, čtoby umeret : teatr v fil˝mah Hičkoka
Zupančič, Alenka. “Luščee mesto, čtoby umeret : teatr v fil˝mah Hičkoka.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek. 67-99, 335. Logos, 2004. ISBN: 5816300520

L’endroit idéal pour mourir : le théâtre dans les films d’Hitchcock
Zupančič, Alenka. “L’endroit idéal pour mourir : le théâtre dans les films d’Hitchcock.” In edited by Slavoj Žižek. Capricci, 2010. ISBN: 291804010X

O lepem pri Kantu
Zupančič, Alenka. “O lepem pri Kantu.” In , 147-159. Teoretsko psihoanalizo, 1991.

Lectures

Alenka Zupančič

Let Them Rot: Antigone’s Parallax

08.04.2023
Alenka Zupančič

Alenka Zupančič – “Passions” (Excerpt 2) – 7.30.2020

30.07.2020
Alenka Zupančič

Alenka Zupančič – Fall 2020 Lecture – “Passions” – 07.27.2020 (Excerpt)

06.12.2020
Alenka Zupančič

Faculty Interview

16.07.2019
Alenka Zupančič

“Stand Up for Comedy”

16.06.2019
Alenka Zupančič

To enjoy is to trespass

03.09.2018
Alenka Zupančič

The End of Laughter

03.09.2017
Alenka Zupančič

Human Animal

03.09.2013
Alenka Zupančič

The Chorus and The Real in Poetic Art

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

The Real as Impossible

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

The Real and Its Double

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

The Fantasy of Speculative Realism

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Psychoanalysis and the Study of Science

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Quentin Meillassoux, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sexual Difference

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Sexuality, the Body, and Being

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Freud, Negation, and the Constitution of Thinking

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Yes, No, and the Mother

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

I Would Prefer Not To

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Friedrich Nietzsche and The Eternal Return

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Death Drive and Repetition

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Drive, or the Inconsistency in Finitude

03.09.2011
Alenka Zupančič

Nietzsche and the Event

03.09.2010
Alenka Zupančič

Nietzsche and Ethics

03.09.2010
Alenka Zupančič

The Culture of Lying

03.09.2010
Alenka Zupančič

Topics in Lacan and Nietzsche

03.09.2010