pleasure principle (principe de plaisir) Even when Lacan uses the
word 'pleasure' on its own, he is always referring to the pleasure principle, and
never to a sensation.
The pleasure principle is one of the 'two principles of mental functioning'
posited by Freud in his metapsychological writings (the other being the [[Reality Principle]]). The pleasure principle aims exclusively at avoiding unpleasure and
obtaining ==Freudian Dictionary==<blockquote>In the psycho-analytical theory of the mind we take it for granted that the course of mental processes is automatically regulated by "the pleasure-principle": that is to say, we believe that any given process originates in an unpleasant state of tension and thereupon determines for itself such a path that its ultimate issue coincides with a relaxation of this tension, i.e. with avoidance of "pain" or with production of pleasure.<ref>{{BPP}} Ch. 1</ref></blockquote>
Lacan's first extended discussion <blockquote>The pleasure-principle is a tendency which subserves a certain function-namely, that of rendering the pleasure principle appears in psychic apparatus as a whole free from any excitation, or to keep theamount of excitation constant or as low as possible.<ref>{{BPP}} Ch. 7</ref></blockquote>
seminar of 1954<blockquote>The pleasure-5. Here Lacan compares the pleasure pain principle is brought into action in response to the danger-signal, and plays a homeo-part in repression . . . . This principle has unrestricted sway over the processes in the id.<ref>{{NILP}} Ch. 4</ref></blockquote>
static device that aims at maintaining excitation at the lowest functional level{{Freudian Dictionary}}
(S2, 79-80). This accords with Freud's thesis that unpleasure is related to the
increase of quantities of excitation, and pleasure to their reduction. Lacan
opposes the pleasure principle, which he dubs the 'restitutive tendency', to
the death drive (the 'repetitive tendency'), in accordance with Freud's view
that the death drive is 'beyond the pleasure principle' (S2, 79-80).==below==
In 1960, Lacan develops what soon comes to be an important concept in his"[[pleasure principle]]" ([[Fr]]. ''[[principe de plaisir]]'')
work; Even when [[Lacan]] uses the idea of an opposition between word "[[pleasure and ]]" on its own, he is always referring to the [[Jouissancepleasure principle|pleasure ''principle'']], and never to a sensation. ,ÕOMiSS¸flCÄ iS
now defined as an excessive quantity of excitation which the pleasure principle--
attempts to prevent. The [[pleasure principle ]] is thus seen as a one of the "two principles of mental functioning" posted by [[SymbolicFreud]] law, ain his metapsychological writings (the other being the [[reality principle]]).
commandment which can be phrased 'Enjoy as little as possible' (which isThe [[pleasure principle]] aims exclusively at avoiding [[unpleasure]] and obtaining [[pleasure]].
why Freud originally called it the unpleasure principle; see Freud, 1900a: SE--
V, 574). Pleasure is [[Lacan]]'s first extended discussion of the [[pleasure principle]] appears in the safeguard [[seminar]] of a state of homeostasis and constancy1954-5.
which jouissance constantly threatens Here [[Lacan]] compares the [[pleasure principle]] to disrupt and traumatisea homeostatic device that aims at maintaining excitation at the lowest function level.<ref>{{S2}} p.79-80</ref>
The function This accords with [[Freud]]'s thesis that [[unpleasure]] is related to the increase of the quantities of excitation, and [[pleasure principle is, in effect, ]] to lead the subject fromtheir reduction.
signifier [[Lacan]] opposes the [[pleasure principle]], which he dubs the "restitutive tendency," to signifierthe [[death drive]] (the "repetitive tendency"), by generating as many signifiers as are required toin accordance with [[Freud]]'s view that the [[death drive]] is "beyond the pleasure principle."<ref>{{S2}} p.79-80</ref>
maintain at as low a level as possible the tension that regulates the whole--
functioning In 1960, [[Lacan]] develops what soon comes to be an important concept in his work; the idea of the psychic apparatusan opposition between [[pleasure]] and ''[[jouissance]]''.
(S7, 119)''[[Jouissance]]'' is now defined as an excessive quantity of excitation which the [[pleasure principle]] attempts to prevent.
Put another way, the The [[pleasure principle ]] is thus seen as a [[symbolic]] [[law]], a commandment which can be phrased "Enjoy as little as possible" (which is why [[Freud]] originally called it the prohibition of incest''unpleasure'' principle).<ref>[[Freud|Freud, 'that whiÁhSigmund]]. SE V. 1900a. p.574</ref>
regulates [[Pleasure]] is the distance between the subject safeguard of a state of homeostasis and das Dingconstancy which ' 69; see nugä'[[jouissance]]'' constantly threatens to disrupt and [[trauma]]tize.
When <blockquote>The function of the pleasure principle is, in effect, to lead the subject transgresses this prohibitionfrom signifier to signifier, gets too near by generating as amny signifiers as are required to ife Thing, thenmaintain at as low a level as possible the tension that regulates the whole functioning of the psychic apparatus.<ref>{{S7}} p.119</ref></blockquote>
he suffers. Since it Put another way, the [[pleasure principle]] is the drives [[prohibition]] on [[incest]], "that which permit regulates the distance between the subject to transgress theand ''das Ding."<ref>{{S7}} p.69</ref>
When the [[subject]] transgresses this prohibition, gets too near to the [[Thing]], then he suffers. Since it is the drives which permit the subject to transgress the pleasure principle, it follows that every drive is a death drive. -- Since the pleasure principle is related to prohibition, to the law, and to regulation, it is clearly on the side of the symbolic, whereas ''jouissance'' is on the side of the [[Death Drivereal]].
Since the pleasure principle is related to prohibition, to the law, and to regulation, it is clearly on the side of the [[Symbolic]], whereas jouissance is on the side of the [[Real]]. The pleasure principle is thus '"nothing else than the dominance of the signifier' (."<ref>{{S7, }} p.134). </ref> This involves Lacan in a paradox, since the [[Symbolic]] symbolic is also the realm of the [[Realrepetition compulsion]]m of the REPETITION compulsion, which is, in [[Freud]]'s terms, precisely that which goes ''beyond '' the pleasure principle. Indeed, some of Lacan's descriptions of the pleasure principle make it sound almost identical to the repetition compulsion: '. <blockquote>"The function of the pleasure principle is to make man always search or for what he has to find again, but which he will never attain' (."<ref>{{S7, }} p.68).</ref></blockquote>
Also, the pleasure principle refers to the prohibition of incest, “that which regulates the distance between the subect and das Ding.” When the subject transgresses this prohibition, gets too near to the Thing, then he suffers. Since it is the drives which permit the subject to transgress the pleasure principle, it follows that every drive is a death drive. Since the pleasure principle is related to prohibition, to the law, and to regulation, it is clearly on the side of the symbolic, whereas jouissance is on the side of the real.
----------------- In psychoanalysis, the demand that an instinctive need (usually sexual or aggressive) be gratified, regardless of the social or practical consequences. Sigmund Freud held that the id was dominated totally by the pleasure principle, but that, with the development of the ego and superego, individuals become aware of the demands of social reality (the reality principle), and thereby learn to temper and regulate their quest for pleasure. The "[[pleasure principle]]" and the "[[reality principle]]" are two psychoanalytical terms coined by Sigmund Freud. Respectively, the desire for immediate gratification versus the deferral of that gratification. Quite simply, the pleasure principle drives one to seek pleasure and to avoid pain. However, as one matures, one begins to learn the need sometimes to endure pain and to defer gratification because of the exigencies and obstacles of reality: "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" (Sigmund Freud, Introductory Lectures 16.357). The [[pleasure principle]] governs the functioning of the [[primary process]] ==See Also==* [[Death drive]]* ''[[Jouissance]]''* [[Reality principle]]* [[Repetition compulsion]] == References ==
<references/>
[[Category:Lacan]][[Category:Terms]][[Category:Concepts]]{{Encore}}[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]''[[Category:Psychoanalytic theoryLustprinzip]]'', 55-56, 62, 84, 94-95
