"My instinct as a philosopher is that we are effectively approaching a multicentric world, which means we need to ask new, and for the traditional left, unpleasant questions"

In this quote, Slavoj Zizek highlights a considerable shift in the geopolitical and ideological landscape, suggesting that the world is significantly becoming "multicentric". This term implies a move far from a unipolar or bipolar world controlled by a couple of super-powers or ideological doctrines, toward a more decentralized and varied global order where several centers of power exist. Such a change demands re-evaluating established standards and assumptions.

From a philosophical perspective, Zizek's instinct is to critically engage with this emerging complexity. In a multicentric world, traditional binaries and hierarchical structures are challenged, leading the way for a pluralism that includes a larger variety of voices and perspectives. This scenario calls for asking "new questions"-- ones not restricted by the paradigms of the past but rather accounting for brand-new dynamics in power, culture, and social relations.

In addition, Zizek suggests that these advancements might position "unpleasant concerns" for the standard left. Historically, leftist ideologies have frequently been associated with particular universalist principles and a focus on class has a hard time within rigid structures. However, a multicentric world demands a more comprehensive lens, one that includes varied cultural, racial, and regional nuances that these traditional frameworks might neglect. It challenges the left to reconsider its techniques and ideologies in ways that might be unpleasant, as it needs the integration of newer, less familiar issues into its discourse.

Additionally, this shift may require the left to face internal contradictions and re-examine its position on global solidarity versus local autonomy. Comprehending the detailed balance in between acknowledging difference and striving for fair services becomes important. For that reason, Zizek motivates a philosophical questions that embraces the complexities of a multicentric world, advising a relocation beyond conventional comfort zones to resolve the contemporary difficulties head-on.