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| − | | + | #redirect [[Reality Principle]] |
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| − | According to [{Freud]], the [[psyche]] is at first regulated entirely by the [[pleasure principle]].
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| − | The [[pleasure principle]] seeks to experience [[satisfaction]] via [[hallucination|hallucinatory]] [[cathexis]] of a [[memory]] of prior [[satisfaction]].
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| − | However, the [[subject]] soon discovers that [[hallucination|hallucinating]] does not fully [[satisfaction|satisfy]] his [[need]]s, and is thus forced "to form a conception of the real circumstances in the external world."<ref>Freud, 1911b: SE XII, 219</ref>
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| − | [[Freud]] introduces the [[reality principle]] (''principe de rèalitè''), a new 'principle of mental functioning' which modifies the [[pleasure principle]] and forces the [[subject]] to take more circuitous routes to [[satisfaction]].
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| − | Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[reality principle]] is still the [[satisfaction]] of the [[drive]]s.
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| − | [[Lacan]] is opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the Reality principle."<ref>1951b: ll</ref>
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| − | He rejects any account of [[human]] [[development]] based on an unproblematic notion of '[[reality]]' as an [[objective]] and self-evident given.
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| − | [[Lacan]] (following [[Freud]]) argues that the [[reality principle]] is still ultimately in the service of the [[pleasure principle]]: "the reality principle is a delayed action pleasure principle."<ref>{{S2}} p.60</ref>
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| − | [[Lacan]] thus challenges the idea that the [[subject]] has access to an infallible means of distinguishing between [[reality]] and [[fantasy]].
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| − | "Reality isn't just there so that we bump our heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of the pleasure principle leads us. In truth, we make reality out of pleasure."<ref>{{S7}} p.225</ref>
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| − | Together with the [[pleasure principle]], the [[reality principle]] is, according to [[Freud]], one of the two principles governing the workings of the [[psyche]].
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| − | The [[reality principle]] modifies the [[pleasure principle]] by regulating the [[instinct]]ive search for [[pleasure]].
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| − | Under its influence, the search for [[pleasure]] ceases to be immediate as momentary and uncertain [[pleasure]]s are renounced in order to gain a more assured [[pleasure]] at a later [[stage]] (deferred gratification).
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| − | The quest for [[pleasure]] is thus modified so as to make it conform to the conditions imposed by [[external]] [[realities]].
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| − | The [[religious]] doctrine which holds that those who renounce earthly [[pleasure]]s can expect to be rewarded in the afterlife is viewed by [[Freud] as a [[projection]] of the [[reality principle]].
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| − | Respectively, the [[desire]] for immediate gratification vs. the [[deferral]] of that gratification.
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| − | Quite simply, the [[pleasure principle]] drives one to seek [[pleasure]] and to avoid [[pain]].
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| − | However, as one grows up, one begins to learn the need sometimes to endure [[pain]] and to defer gratification because of the exigencies and obstacles of [[reality]]:
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| − | "An ego thus educated has become 'reasonable'; it no longer lets itself be governed by the pleasure principle, but obeys the reality principle, which also at bottom seeks to obtain pleasure, but pleasure which is assured through taking account of reality, even though it is pleasure postponed and diminished."<ref>Introductory Lectures 16.357</ref>
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| − | ==See Also==
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| − | * [[Pleasure principle]]
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| − | * [[pleasure]]
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| − | * [[desire]]
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| − | * ''[[jouissance]]''
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| − | * [[reality]]
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| − | == References ==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
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| − | [[Category:Terms]]
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| − | [[Category:Concepts]]
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| − | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
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| − | [[Category:Freudian psychology]]
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| − | [[Category:Real]]
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| − | [[Category:Symbolic]]
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