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===Algebraic SignLacanian Algebra===The [[symbol ]] ''<b>a</b>'' (the first [[letter ]] of the [[word ]] ''[[other|autre]]'', or '"[[other']]") is one of the first [[algebraic]] [[sign]] s which appears in [[Lacan]]'s [[Works of Jacques Lacan|work]], and is first introduced in 1955 in connection with [[schema L]].  It is always lower [[case ]] and italicized to show that it denotes the [[little other]], in opposition to the [[capital ]] '<b>A</b>' of the [[big Other]].  Unlike the [[big Other]], which represents a radical and irreducible [[big Other|alterity]], the [[little other ]] is "the other which isn't [[another ]] at all, since it is essentially coupled with the ego, in a [[relationship ]] which is always reflexive, interchangeable."<ref>{{S2}} p.321</ref>  In [[schema L]], then, ''a'' and ''a''' designate indiscriminately the [[ego]] and the [[counterpart]]/[[specular image]], and clearly belong to the [[imaginary order]]. -- In 1957, when [[Lacan]] introduces the [[matheme]] of [[fantasy]] ($ <> ''a''), ''a'' begins to be conceived as the [[object]] of [[desire]]. THis is the [[imaginary]] [[part-object]], an element which is imagined as separable from the rest of the body. Lacan now begins to distinguish between ''a'', the object of desire, and the [[specular image]], which he now symbolizes ''i(a)''. -- In the seminar of 1960-1, Lacan articulates the objet petit a with the term ''[[agalma]]'' (a greek term meaning glory, an orgnament, an offering ot the gods, or a little statue of a god) which he extracts from Plato's ''Symposium''. Just as the ''agalma'' is a precious object hidden inside a relatively worthless box, so the ''objet petit a'' is the object of desire which we seek in the other.<ref>{{S8}} p.177</ref> -- From 1963 onwards, ''a'' comes increasingly to acquire connotations of the [[real]], although it never loses its imaginary status; in 1973 Lacan can still say that it is imaginary.<ref>{{S20}} p.77</ref> From this point on, ''a'' denotes the object which can never be attained, which is really the [[cause]] of [[desire]] rather than that towards which [[desire]] tends; this is why Lacan now calls it "the object-cause" of desire.

===Object of Desire===In 1957, when [[Lacan]] introduces the [[matheme]] of [[fantasy]] ('''$ <> <i>a</i>'''), ''a''begins to be conceived as the [[object]] of [[desire]]. This is the [[Objet petit aimaginary]] [[part-object]], an element which is imagined as separable from the rest of the [[body]]. Lacan now begins to distinguish between '' is any a'', the [[object which sets ]] of [[desire in motion]], especially and the [[partial objectspecular image]]s , which define the driveshe now symbolizes ''i(a)''.

The drives do not seek to attain ===Agalma===In the seminar of 1960-1, [[Lacan]] articulates the ''[[objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'' with the term ''[[agalma]]'' (a Greek term meaning glory, but rather circle round itan ornament, an offering ot the gods, or a little statue of a god) which he extracts from [[Plato]]'s ''[[Plato|Symposium]]''. Just as the ''[[agalma]]'' is a precious [[object]] hidden [[inside]] a relatively worthless box, so the ''[[objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'' is the [[object]] of [[desire]] which we seek in the [[other]].<ref>{{S11S8}} p.179177</ref>

===Object-Cause of Desire===From 1963 onwards, '''<i>a</i>''' comes increasingly to acquire connotations of the [[real]], although it never loses its [[imaginary]] status; in 1973 [[Lacan]] can still say that it is [[imaginary]].<ref>{{S20}} p. 77</ref> From this point on, ''[[Objet objet (petit ) a|a]]'' is both denotes the [[object of anxiety]] which can never be attained, and which is really the final irreducible reserve [[cause]] of libido.<ref>[[desire]] rather than that towards which [[desire]] tends; this is why [[Lacan. 1962]] now calls it the "[[objet (petit) a|object-3. Seminar cause]]" of 16 January 1963[[desire]].</ref>

It plays an increasingly important part ===Object of Drive===''[[objet (petit) a|Objet petit a]]'' is any [[object]] which sets [[desire]] in Lacan'motion, especially the [[partial object]]s concept of the treatment, in which define the analyst must siutate himself as [[drive]]s. The [[drive]]s do not seek to attain the semblance of ''[[objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'', the cause of the analysand's desirebut rather circle round it.<ref>{{S11}} p.179</ref>

In ===Position of the seminars Analyst===It plays an increasingly important part in [[Lacan]]'s [[concept]] of 1962-3 and the [[treatment]], in which the [[analyst]] must situate himself as the [[semblance]] of 1964, ''[[objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'' is defined as the leftover, the remainder ([[Frcause]]. ''reste''), the remnant left behind by the introduction of the symbolic in the real[[analysand]]'s [[desire]].

===Surplus Enjoyment===In the [[seminar]]s of 1962-3 and of 1964, ''[[Objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'' is defined as the leftover, the [[remainder]] ([[Fr]]. ''[[reste]]''), the remnant [[left]] behind by the introduction of the [[symbolic]] in the [[real]]. This is developed furhter further in the [[seminar ]] of 1969-70, in which [[Lacan ]] elaborates his [[algebra|formulae ]] of the [[four discourses]]. In the [[discourse]] of the [[master]], one [[signifier]] attempts to [[represent]] the [[subject]] for all other [[signifier]]s, but inevitably a [[surplus]] is always produced; this [[surplus]] is ''[[Objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]'', a [[surplus]] [[meaning]], and a [[surplus|surplus enjoyment]] ([[Fr]]. ''[[surplus|plus-de-jouir]]''). This concept is inspired by [[Marx]]'s concept of [[surplus value]]; ''[[Objet (petit) a|a]]'' is the [[excess]] of ''[[jouissance]]'' which has no "[[use value]]" but persists for the mere sake of [[enjoyment]].

===Semblance===In the discourse of the master1973, one signifier attempts to represent the subject for all other signifiers, but inevitably a surplus is always produced; this surplus is [[Lacan]] [[links]] ''[[Objet (petit) a|objet petit a]]''to the concept of [[semblance]], asserting that ''''[[Objet (petit) a surplus meaning, and |a surplus enjoyment ([[Fr]]. ''plus-de-jouir'')is a "semblance of [[being]]."<ref>{{S20}} p.87</ref>

This concept is inspired by ===Borromean knot===In 1974 he places it at the center of the [[Borromean knot]], at the [[Marxplace]] where the [[order|three order]]'s concept of surplus value; ''a'' is the excess of ''([[jouissancereal]]'' which has no 'use value,' but persists for the mere sake of enjoyment[[symbolic]] and [[imaginary]]) all intersect.

In 1973, [[Lacan]] links ''objet petit a'' to the concept of [[semblance]], asserting that ''a'' is a ==References==<div style="semblance of being.font-size:11px"class="references-small"><refreferences/>{{S20}} p.87</refdiv>

In 1974 he places it at the center of the [[Borromean knotCategory:Psychoanalysis]], at the place where the tree [[orderCategory:Jacques Lacan]]s (real, symbolic and imaginary) all intersect.[[Category:Dictionary]][[Category:Real]][[Category:Concepts]][[Category:Terms]][[Category:Edit]]{{OK}}__NOTOC__