Abstract

The present text “Paul of Tarsus in the eyes of Alain Badiou and Slavoj Žižek” presents opinions of two philosophers, Alain Badiou and Slavoj Žižek, concerning founder of Christianity Paul of Tarsus. For Badiou Paul was theologian of universalism, for Žižek apostle of exclusion. But when their views are analyzed carefully, one can see that both skipped fragments of Paul’s letters which deny assumptions of their own theories. Badiou see in Paul spokesman of one and only truth. He does not want to see that such attitude leads to exclusion of those who reject his truth. At the same time Badiou sees in him precursor of modern society which guarantee laws to minorities, though Paul himself excluded it. Paul’s vision excludes voluntary choose and leads to coercion in religion. Žižek who stigmatize Paul’s intolerance, did not mention his tolerance concerning vegetarians and sexual life of clergy.