Difference between revisions of "Libido"
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[[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref> | [[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref> | ||
− | [[Freud]] insisted on the sexual nature of this energy, and throughout his work he maintained a dualism in which the [[libido]] is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy. | + | [[Freud]] insisted on the [[sexual]] nature of this energy, and throughout his [[Works of Sigmund Freud|work]] he maintained a dualism in which the [[libido]] is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy. |
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+ | ===Carl Jung=== | ||
[[Jung]] opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "[[libido]]." | [[Jung]] opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "[[libido]]." | ||
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[[Lacan]] rejects [[Jung]]'s monism and reaffirms [[Freud]]'s dualism.<ref>{{S1}} p.119-20</ref> | [[Lacan]] rejects [[Jung]]'s monism and reaffirms [[Freud]]'s dualism.<ref>{{S1}} p.119-20</ref> | ||
− | He argues, with [[Freud]], that the [[libido]] is exclusively sexual. | + | He argues, with [[Freud]], that the [[libido]] is exclusively [[sexual]. |
[[Lacan]] also follows [[Freud]] in affirming that the [[libido]] is exclusively [[masculine]].<ref>{{E}} p.291</ref> | [[Lacan]] also follows [[Freud]] in affirming that the [[libido]] is exclusively [[masculine]].<ref>{{E}} p.291</ref> | ||
− | <blockquote>"Libido and the ego are on the same side. Narcissism is libidinal.<ref>{{S2}} p.326</ref></blockquote> | + | <blockquote>"Libido and the ego are on the same side. Narcissism is libidinal."<ref>{{S2}} p.326</ref></blockquote> |
From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the [[libido]] more with the [[real]].<ref>{{Ec}} p.848-9</ref> | From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the [[libido]] more with the [[real]].<ref>{{Ec}} p.848-9</ref> | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* ''[[Jouissance]]'' | * ''[[Jouissance]]'' | ||
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== References == | == References == |
Revision as of 14:55, 30 July 2006
Sigmund Freud
Freud conceives of the libido as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.[1]
Freud insisted on the sexual nature of this energy, and throughout his work he maintained a dualism in which the libido is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy.
Carl Jung
Jung opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "libido."
Jacques Lacan
Lacan rejects Jung's monism and reaffirms Freud's dualism.[2]
He argues, with Freud, that the libido is exclusively [[sexual].
Lacan also follows Freud in affirming that the libido is exclusively masculine.[3]
"Libido and the ego are on the same side. Narcissism is libidinal."[4]
From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the libido more with the real.[5]
However, in general Lacan does not use the term "libido" anywhere near as frequently as Freud, preferring to reconceptualize sexual energy in terms of jouissance.
See Also
References
- ↑ Freud, Sigmund. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p.119-20
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.291
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book II. The Ego in Freud's Theory and in the Technique of Psychoanalysis, 1954-55. Trans. Sylvana Tomaselli. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge Unviersity Press, 1988. p.326
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.848-9