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==1==
The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psycho-Analysis is in fact a transcription of Lacan's eleventh seminar series. This is one of Lacan's most important seminars and central to his work; it is also an extremely dense and difficult text to read. Again, there are specific reasons for this. The seminar was given in 1964 and marked a pivotal moment in Lacan's career and the development of his thought.==2==
1964 (256 pp.)-SEMINAIRE XI: LES aUATRE CONCEPTS FONDAMENTAUX DE LA PSYCHANALYSE (SEMINAR XI: THE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF PSYCHOANALYSIS)-1973, 1978
January 15, 1964 marked the opening session of the seminars at the E.N.S. where, in the presence of a number of celebrities (Levi-Strauss, H. Ey, AI�thusser ... ) and of a new and young audience, Lacan reminded people of the "censorship" of his teaching and of his excommunication by the official psychoanalytic circles. Why, he asked, was this refugee involvcd in the uni�vcrsity, a placc gcnerally held in contempt by psychoanalysts? Well, he wantcd to continuc to train analysts, which was his first priority. At the same timc, his tcaching was also addrcssed to the non analysts and he wanted to raisc thc following questions: Is psychoanalysis a science? Under what con�ditions is it a science? If it is-the "science of the unconscious" or a "con�jectural science of the subject" -what can it, in turn, teach us about science? This double aim of Lacan's discourse created interferences that are not always easy 10 follow, and also Icd him to evade somc of thc participants' questions. For cxample, could one do without the "stagcs" of carliest childhood? (Fran�<;oise Dolto's question); how would others reappear in his discourse? and "is topology for you a method of discovery or of exposition?" (Wahl's questions); "What diffcrcnce do you make between the object of desire and the object of the drive?" (Safouan's qucstion). Once, Lacan even answered, "Look, the main thing is that I don't fail and get hurt!"
