Difference between revisions of "Adaptation"
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− | [[ | + | The concept of [[adaptation]] is a [[biology|biological]] [[:category:concepts|concept]]. |
− | From his early work in the 1930s on, Lacan opposes any attempt to explain human phenomena in terms of adaptation.<ref> | + | Organisms are supposed to be driven to adapt themselves to fit the environment. |
− | This forms a constant theme in Lacan's work; in 1955, for example, he states that "the dimension discovered by analysis is the opposite of anything which progresses through adaptation."<ref> | + | |
+ | [[Adaptation]] implies a harmonious relation between the ''Innenwelt'' (inner world) and ''Umwelt'' (surrounding world). | ||
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+ | ==Ego-Psychology== | ||
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+ | [[Ego-Psychology]] applies the [[biological]] concept of [[adaptation]] to [[psychoanalysis]]. | ||
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+ | [[Ego-Psychology]] explain [[neurotic]] [[symptom]]s in terms of maladaptive [[behaviour]]. | ||
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+ | [[Ego-Psychology]] argues that the aim of [[psychoanalytic]] [[treatment]] is to help the [[patient]] adapt to [[reality]]. | ||
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+ | == Jacques Lacan== | ||
+ | From his early work in the 1930s on, [[Lacan]] opposes any attempt to explain human phenomena in terms of [[adaptation]].<ref>{{Ec}} p.158; {{Ec}} p.171-2</ref> | ||
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+ | This forms a constant theme in [[Lacan]]'s work; in 1955, for example, he states that "the dimension discovered by analysis is the opposite of anything which progresses through adaptation."<ref>{{S2}} p.86</ref> | ||
He takes this view for several reasons: | He takes this view for several reasons: | ||
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− | + | 1. The stress on the adaptive function of the [[ego]] misses the [[ego]]'s [[alienating]] function and is based on a simplistic and unproblematic view of '[[reality]]'. | |
− | + | Reality is not a simple, objective thing to which the ego must adapt, but is itself a product of the ego's fictional misrepresentations and projections. | |
+ | Therefore "it is not a question of adapting to it [reality], but of showing it [the ego] that it is only too well adapted, since it assists in the construction of that very reality."<ref>{{E}} p.236</ref> | ||
+ | The task of [[psychoanalysis]] is rather to subvert the [[illusory]] sense of [[adaptation]], since this blocks access to the [[unconscious]]. | ||
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+ | 2. To set [[adaptation]] as the [[aim]] of the [[treatment]] is to turn the [[analyst]] into the arbiter of the [[patient]]'s [[adaptation]]. | ||
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+ | The [[analyst]]'s own "relation to reality thus goes without saying."<ref>{{E}} p.230</ref> | ||
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+ | It is automatically assumed that the [[analyst]] is better adapted than the [[patient]]. | ||
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+ | This inevitably turns [[psychoanalysis]] into the exercise of [[power]], in which the [[analyst]] forces his own particular view of | ||
+ | [[reality]] onto the [[patient]]; this is not [[psychoanalysis]] but [[suggestion]]. | ||
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+ | 3. The idea of [[harmony]] between the organism and its environment, implicit in the concept of [[adaptation]], is inapplicable to human beings because man's inscription in the [[symbolic]] [[order]] de-naturalises him and means that 'in man the [[imaginary]] relation [to nature] has deviated'. | ||
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+ | Any attempt to regain [[harmony]] with [[nature]] overlooks the essentially excessive [[drive]] potential summed up in the [[death drive]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Human beings are essentially maladaptive. | ||
+ | [[Lacan]] argues that the stress put by [[ego-psychology]] on the [[adaptation]] of the [[patient]] to [[reality]] reduces [[psychoanalysis]] to an instrument of social control and conformity. | ||
− | + | He sees this as a complete betrayal of [[psychoanalysis]], which he regards as an essentially subversive practice. | |
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | <references/> | ||
+ | ==See Also== | ||
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
+ | [[Category:New]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Help]] |
Revision as of 11:47, 24 June 2006
The concept of adaptation is a biological concept.
Organisms are supposed to be driven to adapt themselves to fit the environment.
Adaptation implies a harmonious relation between the Innenwelt (inner world) and Umwelt (surrounding world).
Ego-Psychology
Ego-Psychology applies the biological concept of adaptation to psychoanalysis.
Ego-Psychology explain neurotic symptoms in terms of maladaptive behaviour.
Ego-Psychology argues that the aim of psychoanalytic treatment is to help the patient adapt to reality.
Jacques Lacan
From his early work in the 1930s on, Lacan opposes any attempt to explain human phenomena in terms of adaptation.[1]
This forms a constant theme in Lacan's work; in 1955, for example, he states that "the dimension discovered by analysis is the opposite of anything which progresses through adaptation."[2]
He takes this view for several reasons:
1. The stress on the adaptive function of the ego misses the ego's alienating function and is based on a simplistic and unproblematic view of 'reality'.
Reality is not a simple, objective thing to which the ego must adapt, but is itself a product of the ego's fictional misrepresentations and projections.
Therefore "it is not a question of adapting to it [reality], but of showing it [the ego] that it is only too well adapted, since it assists in the construction of that very reality."[3]
The task of psychoanalysis is rather to subvert the illusory sense of adaptation, since this blocks access to the unconscious.
2. To set adaptation as the aim of the treatment is to turn the analyst into the arbiter of the patient's adaptation.
The analyst's own "relation to reality thus goes without saying."[4]
It is automatically assumed that the analyst is better adapted than the patient.
This inevitably turns psychoanalysis into the exercise of power, in which the analyst forces his own particular view of reality onto the patient; this is not psychoanalysis but suggestion.
3. The idea of harmony between the organism and its environment, implicit in the concept of adaptation, is inapplicable to human beings because man's inscription in the symbolic order de-naturalises him and means that 'in man the imaginary relation [to nature] has deviated'.
Any attempt to regain harmony with nature overlooks the essentially excessive drive potential summed up in the death drive.
Human beings are essentially maladaptive.
Lacan argues that the stress put by ego-psychology on the adaptation of the patient to reality reduces psychoanalysis to an instrument of social control and conformity.
He sees this as a complete betrayal of psychoanalysis, which he regards as an essentially subversive practice.
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.158; Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.171-2
- ↑ 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.86
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.236
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.230