Inner Experience: Bataille Contra Hegel in "Torture"

This is your Inner Experience. On this episode we’re finally going through the text that inspired the origin of this show; George Bataille’s Torture, from his book ‘Inner Experience’. Craig, Will, and Adam sketch out the terminological landscape of Bataille’s project, tackling such concepts as ‘Salvation’ ‘Impossibility’, ‘Divinity’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Non-Knowledge’, ‘Ecstasy’, ‘Anguish’, and much more. We pick Bataille’s brain for his anxieties regarding the End of History and the completion of Rationalist Metaphysics, and by way of such an investigation we articulate his relationship to Hegel as the looming and all-consuming philosopher of the inescapable economy of meaning. Religious experience is shown as central to Inner Experience, as the visceral torment of the body and mind at the limit of its self-conception; as life experiences itself at its most meaningless and contradictory, akin to the agony of a dying God. Thinkers also in the discussion are William James, St. John of the Cross, Max Stirner, Deleuze, Kojeve, Hillman, amongst many others.Contribute to Acid Horizon: https://www.patreon.com/acidhorizonpodcastSubscribe to us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/169wvvhi Happy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.comNew Revolts (Matt’s Blog): https://newrevolts.com/​Revolting Bodies (Will's Blog): https://revoltingbodies.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/​Merch Store: http://www.crit-drip.comSupport the showSupport the podcast:AHRCCurrent classes at Acid Horizon Research Commons (AHRC): acidhorizonresearchcommons.comAHRC Course Archive: https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/ahrc-course-archivesSubmit your course proposal: [email protected] LinksWebsite: https://www.acidhorizonpodcast.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/acidhorizonAcid Horizon on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/acidhorizonpodcastBoycott Watkins Media: https://xenogothic.com/2025/03/17/boycott-watkins-statement/Subscribe to us on your favorite podcast: https://pod.link/1512615438Merch: http://www.crit-drip.comSubscribe to us on your favorite podcast platform: https://pod.link/1512615438LEPHT HAND: https://www.patreon.com/LEPHTHANDHappy Hour at Hippel's (Adam’s blog): https://happyhourathippels.wordpress.com​Split Infinities (Craig’s Substack): https://splitinfinities.substack.com/​Music: https://sereptie.bandcamp.com/ and https://thecominginsurrection.bandcamp.com/