Changes

According to [[Freud]], the [[pleasure principle]] is one of the "two principles of mental functioning" -- the other being the [[reality principle]].  The [[pleasure principle]] directs all mental or psychical activity towards obtaining -- maximizing -- [[pleasure]] and avoiding -- minimizing -- [[pleasure|unpleasure]].  All mental or psychical activity is directed -- by the [[pleasure principle]] -- towards obtaining [[pleasure]] and avoiding [[pleasure|unpleasure]].

[[Unpleasure]] is related to the increase of quantities of excitation.  [[Unpleasure]] results from increased excitation.  [[Pleasure]] results from their reduction.  The [[pleasure principle]] therefore serves to reduce tension and to return the [[psyche]] to a state of equilibrium or constancy.

For [[Lacan]] the [[pleasure principle]] is an obstacle to ''[[jouissance]]' that takes the [[subject]] to that extreme point where the erotic borders upon [[death]] and where [[subjectivity]] risks extinction.  The [[pleasure principle]] is closely linked -- closely related -- to the [[prohibition]] of [[incest]], the [[symbolic law]] and the regulation of [[desire]].  The [[pleasure principle]] is "that which regulates the distance between the subject and ''[[das Ding]]''.  In [[Chronology|1960]], [[Lacan]] develops an important opposition between [[pleasure]] and ''[[jouissance]]''.  ''[[Jouissance]]'' is an excessive quanitity of excitation which the [[pleasure principle]] tries to prevent.  The [[pleasure principle]] is a commandment -- which can be phrased -- "Enjoy as little as possible."