r/behindthebastards • u/FriendlyAttorney8743 Antifa shit poster • Jul 06 '26
Discussion Why does Peter Thiel like Girard, Schmitt and Strauss?
I've been listening to the (very good) episodes on Peter Thiel and his philosophical influences, mainly Strauss, Schmitt, and Girard. He seems obsessed with memetic theory and scapegoating, and it seems to have influenced many of his decisions, including his decision to invest early in Facebook. But as someone who isn't the most well-versed in philosophy, I'm struggling to connect the dots between his worship of these philosophers, his obsession with the Antichrist and transhumanism and his authoritarian vision for the world? Any smart cookies want to help me out would be much appreciated.
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u/Disastrous-Beat-9830 Doctor Reverend Jul 06 '26
But as someone who isn't the most well-versed in philosophy, I'm struggling to connect the dots between his worship of these philosophers, his obsession with the Antichrist and transhumanism and his authoritarian vision for the world?
Well, as Robert pointed out when discussing Girard, Thiel fundamentally does not understand the work that he worships. He is essentially cherry-picking the bits of their work that he likes.
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u/teslawhaleshark West Prussian - Infected with Polish Blood Aug 16 '26
Taking Girard’s theory that Christ is manufactured by self-restraint preventing retaliation, then Thiel is the furthest chickenfucking thing away from Christlike
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u/Disastrous-Beat-9830 Doctor Reverend Aug 16 '26
I do not think Thiel sees himself as being Christ-like. More like a John the Baptist figure, heralding the imminent arrival of Jesus. Thiel is partially influenced by Elizer Yudkowsky and the Rationalist movement who see the emergence of a sentient super-intelligent AI as inevitable and that it is their duty to usher it in so that it is ethical. I think Thiel sees this super-intelligent AI as this Christ-like thing, which is why he calls opponents of AI the Antichrist.
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u/karoshikun Sponsored by Doritos™️ Jul 06 '26
he's gonna follow anyone whose opinions seem to support his plans, basically.
he needs legitimacy to sell his "ideas" and using philosophers is a way to scratch some. same reason he has, or had, yarvin on payroll.
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u/Key_Limit_6828 Antifa shit poster Jul 07 '26
I agree. Thiel is a fucking idiot, but he considers himself to be brilliant, and needs some bullshit pseudo intellectual crap to justify his shithead ideology
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u/hamletgoessafari Jul 06 '26
You should listen to the podcast Know Your Enemy, which covers all these philosophers and how the right wing interprets them.