Houston, We Have a Problem

Slavoj Zizek: If you ask an average parent

Slavoj Zizek: "Do you believe in Santa Claus?"

Slavoj Zizek: His answer would have been:

Slavoj Zizek: "Of course not, I'm not crazy.I just pretend for the sake of my children."

Slavoj Zizek: Now, when you ask the children,

Slavoj Zizek: "Do you really believe in Santa Claus?"

Slavoj Zizek: A normal child would have answered:

Slavoj Zizek: "I'm not crazy, I know my parents are buying the presents, but I pretend to so I don't disappoint them and to get the presents."

Slavoj Zizek: So, you see the paradox here: no one effectively believes the first person. Everyone claims, "I just pretend for another" But nonetheless, belief functions. It structures our social reality.