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The [[dual relation]] is always characterized by illusions of similarity, symmetry and reciprocity.

In contrast to the [[duality]] of the [[imaginary]] [[order]], the [[symbolic]] [[order]] is characterised by [[triad]]s.

Indeed, the very concept of [[structure]] itself involves a minimum of three terms; "there are always three terms in the structure."<ref>{{S1}} p.218</ref>

The opposition between [[imaginary]] [[dyad]]s and [[symbolic]] [[triad]]s is complicated by [[Lacan]]'s discussion of the '[[imaginary triad]].'<ref>{{E}} p.197; {{S4}} p.29</ref>

It is for this reason that [[Lacan]] writes that in the [[Oedipus complex]] "it is not a question of a father-mother-child triangle, but of a triangle (father)-phallus-mother-child."<ref>{{S3}} p.319</ref>

One of [[Lacan]]'s most frequent criticisms of the [[psychoanalytic theory]] of his day is that it constantly fails to theorise the role of the [[symbolic]], and thus reduces the [[psychoanalytic]] encounter to an [[imaginary]] [[dual relation]]ship between [[analyst]] and [[analysand]].

In particular, it reduces [[analytic]] [[treatment]] to an [[ego]]-to-[[ego]] encounter which, because of the [[aggressivity]] inherent in all [[imaginary]] [[dual relation]]s, often degenerates into a "[[fight to the death]]" between [[analyst]] and [[analysand]], a power struggle in which they are "at daggers drawn."

Against such a misconception, [[Lacan]] insists on the function of the [[symbolic]] in the [[analytic]] process, which introduces the [[Other]] as the third term in the [[analytic]] encounter.

Rather than seeing the [[treatment]] as a power struggle in which the [[analyst]] must overcome the [[patient]]'s [[resistance]], which is not [[psychoanalysis]] but [[suggestion]], the [[analyst]] must realise that both he and the [[patient]] are equally subjected to the power of a third term: [[language]] itself.

[[Lacan]]'s rejection of [[duality]] can also be seen in his rejection of all [[dual]]istic schemes of thought in favour of [[triad]]ic schemes.

[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]

[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]

[[Category:Concepts]]

[[Category:Terms]]