Difference between revisions of "Drive"
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==Sigmund Freud== | ==Sigmund Freud== | ||
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| − | + | [[Sigmund Freud]]'s [[concept]] of the [[drive]] (''Trieb'', ''pulsion'') is central to his theory of [[human]] [[sexuality]]. | |
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| + | According to [[Freud]], [[human]] [[sexuality]] is not regulated by [[instinct]]s but by [[drive]]s. | ||
| − | + | [[Human]] [[sexuality]] consists of a number of partial [[drive]]s ([[German]]: ''Partieltrieb'') arising from the different [[erogenous zone]]s. | |
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| + | At first these component drives function anarchically and independently (the '[[polymorphous perversity]]' of [[children]]), but in puberty they become organised and fused together under the primacy of the genital organs.<ref>Freud, 1905d</ref> | ||
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| − | + | ==Drive and Instinct== | |
| + | [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud]]'s distinction between [[drive]] (''Trieb'' and [[instinct]] (''Instinkt'').<ref>{{E}} p.301</ref> | ||
[[Instinct]]s are relatively fixed and innate. | [[Instinct]]s are relatively fixed and innate. | ||
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The [[drive]] is a thoroughly cultural and symbolic construct. | The [[drive]] is a thoroughly cultural and symbolic construct. | ||
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==Partial== | ==Partial== | ||
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[[Drive]]s do not represent the reproductive function of sexuality (but only the dimension of enjoyment).<ref>{{S11}} p.204</ref> | [[Drive]]s do not represent the reproductive function of sexuality (but only the dimension of enjoyment).<ref>{{S11}} p.204</ref> | ||
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| − | + | [[Lacan]] rejects the idea that the partial drives can ever attain any complete organisation or fusion. | |
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[[Lacan]] identifies four partial [[drive]]s: | [[Lacan]] identifies four partial [[drive]]s: | ||
* the [[oral]] [[drive]] | * the [[oral]] [[drive]] | ||
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Each of these [[drive]]s is specified by a different [[partial object]] and a different [[erogenous zone]]. | Each of these [[drive]]s is specified by a different [[partial object]] and a different [[erogenous zone]]. | ||
| + | [[Lacan]] emphasizes the partial nature of all drives, but differs from [[Freud]] on two points. | ||
| − | ==Drive | + | ==Movement of the Drive== |
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| − | + | The [[drive]] originates in an [[erogenous zone]], circles round the [[object]], and then returns to the [[erogenous zone]]. | |
| + | The [[drive]]s do not aim at an [[object]] but rather circle perpetually round it. | ||
| − | + | [[Lacan]] argues that the purpose of the [[drive]] is not to reach a goal (a final destination) but to follow its aim (the way itself), which is to circle round the [[object]].<ref>{{S11}} p.168</ref> | |
| + | The function of the [[drive]] is not to attain full [[satisfaction]] but to return to its circular path. | ||
| − | + | The [[real]] source of [[enjoyment]] is the [[repetition|repetitive]] movement of this closed circuit. | |
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| − | + | ==Drive and Desire== | |
| + | The [[drive]] is not merely another name for [[desire]]: they are the partial aspects in which [[desire]] is realised. | ||
| + | [[Desire]] is one and undivided, whereas the drives are partial manifestations of [[desire]]. | ||
| − | + | The circuit of the [[drive]] is the only way for the [[subject]] to [[transgress]] the [[pleasure principle]]. | |
| − | + | ==Dualism== | |
| + | [[Freud]] conceived the dualism of the [[drive]]s in terms of an opposition between the [[life drive]]s (''Lebenstriebe'') ((both the [[pleasure principle]] and the [[reality principle]]) and the [[death drive]]s (''Todestriebe''). | ||
| − | + | [[Lacan]] retains the the basic dualism of [[Freud]]'s theory of the [[drive]]s (against the monism of [[Jung]], who argued that all [[psychic]] forces could be reduced to one single concept of [[psychic]] [[energy]]).<ref>{{S1}} l18-20).</ref> | |
| + | [[Lacan]] prefers to reconceptualise this dualism in terms of an opposition between the [[symbolic]] and the [[imaginary]], and not in terms of an opposition between different kinds of [[drive]]s. | ||
| + | For [[Lacan]], all [[drive]]s are [[sexual]] [[drive]]s, and every [[drive]] is a [[death drive]]. | ||
| + | Since every [[drive]] is excessive, [[repetitive]], and ultimately destructive.<ref>{{Ec}} p.848)</ref> | ||
==Formula== | ==Formula== | ||
| − | In 1957, in the context of the graph of desire, Lacan proposes the formula (SO D) as the [[matheme]] for the drive | + | In 1957, in the context of the [[graph of desire]], [[Lacan]] proposes the [[formula]] (SO D) as the [[matheme]] for the [[drive]]. |
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| − | + | This [[formula]] is to be read: the [[bar]]red [[subject]] in relation to [[demand]], the [[fading]] of the [[subject]] before the insistence of a [[demand]] that persists without any [[conscious]] [[intention]] to sustain it. | |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Desire]] | * [[Desire]] | ||
| + | * [[Instinct]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 10:13, 29 June 2006
Contents
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud's concept of the drive (Trieb, pulsion) is central to his theory of human sexuality.
According to Freud, human sexuality is not regulated by instincts but by drives.
Human sexuality consists of a number of partial drives (German: Partieltrieb) arising from the different erogenous zones.
At first these component drives function anarchically and independently (the 'polymorphous perversity' of children), but in puberty they become organised and fused together under the primacy of the genital organs.[1]
Drive and Instinct
Lacan follows Freud's distinction between drive (Trieb and instinct (Instinkt).[2]
Instincts are relatively fixed and innate.
Instinct denotes a mythical pre-linguistic need.
Drives are variable, and develop in ways that are contingent on the life history of the subject.
Drive is separate from the realm of biology.
The drive does not refer to "some ultimate given, something archaic, primordial."[3]
The drive is a thoroughly cultural and symbolic construct.
Partial
Lacan argues that the drives are partial.
The drives are partial (in that they represent sexuality partially) (not in the sense that they are parts of a whole).
Drives do not represent the reproductive function of sexuality (but only the dimension of enjoyment).[4]
Lacan rejects the idea that the partial drives can ever attain any complete organisation or fusion.
Lacan identifies four partial drives:
Each of these drives is specified by a different partial object and a different erogenous zone.
Lacan emphasizes the partial nature of all drives, but differs from Freud on two points.
Movement of the Drive
The drive originates in an erogenous zone, circles round the object, and then returns to the erogenous zone.
The drives do not aim at an object but rather circle perpetually round it.
Lacan argues that the purpose of the drive is not to reach a goal (a final destination) but to follow its aim (the way itself), which is to circle round the object.[5]
The function of the drive is not to attain full satisfaction but to return to its circular path.
The real source of enjoyment is the repetitive movement of this closed circuit.
Drive and Desire
The drive is not merely another name for desire: they are the partial aspects in which desire is realised.
Desire is one and undivided, whereas the drives are partial manifestations of desire.
The circuit of the drive is the only way for the subject to transgress the pleasure principle.
Dualism
Freud conceived the dualism of the drives in terms of an opposition between the life drives (Lebenstriebe) ((both the pleasure principle and the reality principle) and the death drives (Todestriebe).
Lacan retains the the basic dualism of Freud's theory of the drives (against the monism of Jung, who argued that all psychic forces could be reduced to one single concept of psychic energy).[6]
Lacan prefers to reconceptualise this dualism in terms of an opposition between the symbolic and the imaginary, and not in terms of an opposition between different kinds of drives.
For Lacan, all drives are sexual drives, and every drive is a death drive.
Since every drive is excessive, repetitive, and ultimately destructive.[7]
Formula
In 1957, in the context of the graph of desire, Lacan proposes the formula (SO D) as the matheme for the drive.
This formula is to be read: the barred subject in relation to demand, the fading of the subject before the insistence of a demand that persists without any conscious intention to sustain it.
See Also
References
- ↑ Freud, 1905d
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.301
- ↑ Template:Sll p. 162
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p.204
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p.168
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. l18-20).
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.848)
