Difference between revisions of "Matheme"
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| − | The '''[[matheme]]''' is a concept introduced | + | The '''[[matheme]]''' is a concept introduced by [[France|French]] [[psychoanalyst]] [[Jacques Lacan]]. |
| − | + | [[Matheme]]s are [[formulae]], designed as [[symbol]]ic [[representation]]s of his [[psychoanalytic]] [[concepts]]s. | |
| − | + | The term '[[matheme]]'' is a neologism coined by [[Jacques Lacan]] in the early 1950s. | |
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| + | Formed by derivation from '[[mathematics]]' and by analogy with [[phoneme]] and Levi-Strauss's [[mytheme]], the term is an equivalent to ''mathematical sign'. | ||
| − | + | [[Lacan]] begins to use a variety of graphs and 'schemata' at any early stage in is work. | |
| − | [[ | + | They were intended to introduce some degree of technical rigour in [[philosophical]] and [[psychological]] writing, as an easy way to hold, remember, and rehearse some of the core [[psychoanalytic]] [[concepts]]s. |
| − | + | "[[Matheme]]", for [[Lacan]], was not simply the imitation of [[science]] by [[philosophy]], but the ideal of a perfect means for the integral transmission of [[knowledge]]. | |
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| − | + | ==Mathemes== | |
The main [[Lacan]]ian [[matheme]]s in order of their appearance are: | The main [[Lacan]]ian [[matheme]]s in order of their appearance are: | ||
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In 1955, he introduced what could be called his first [[matheme]], [[schema L]], illustrating the [[imaginary]] function of the [[ego]]. | In 1955, he introduced what could be called his first [[matheme]], [[schema L]], illustrating the [[imaginary]] function of the [[ego]]. | ||
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In [[Greek]], ''mathêma'' means "that which is taught." | In [[Greek]], ''mathêma'' means "that which is taught." | ||
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| − | # [[Schema L]] (1955), which identifies four points in the signifying chain: first, the | + | # [[Schema L]] (1955), which identifies four points in the [[signifying chain]]: first, the unconscious, or the [[discourse]] of the [[Other]] (A), and then the [[subject]] (S), which in turn results from the relation between the [[ego]] (a) to the [[other]] (a) to the other (d). |
# The [[formula]] of the [[signifier]] (1957), S/s, links the [[law]]s of the [[unconscious]] discovered by [[Freud]] to the [[law]]s of [[language]] ([[metaphor]] and [[metonymy]]). | # The [[formula]] of the [[signifier]] (1957), S/s, links the [[law]]s of the [[unconscious]] discovered by [[Freud]] to the [[law]]s of [[language]] ([[metaphor]] and [[metonymy]]). | ||
| − | Perhaps the most familiar is the 'algorithm' which in 1957 replaces [[Saussure]]'s simple diagram of the [[sign]] / arbor with the notation S/s. | + | Perhaps the most familiar is the '[[algorithm]]' which in 1957 replaces [[Saussure]]'s simple diagram of the [[sign]] / arbor with the notation S/s. |
This is to be understood as demonstrating that the [[signifier]] is above the [[signified]], and that the two are separated by a [[bar]] that resists [[signification]] and forces the [[signifier]] to slide endlessly. | This is to be understood as demonstrating that the [[signifier]] is above the [[signified]], and that the two are separated by a [[bar]] that resists [[signification]] and forces the [[signifier]] to slide endlessly. | ||
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# The [[formulas of sexuation]] (1972) present [[sexual difference]] as a logical inscription. | # The [[formulas of sexuation]] (1972) present [[sexual difference]] as a logical inscription. | ||
| − | Using the signs | + | Using the signs ?x, Fx, and ?x outside of the field of [[mathematics]] where they originated, [[Lacan]] inscribed a [[masculine]] [[psychical]] [[structure]] on one side and a [[feminine]] [[psychical]] [[structure]] on the other. |
The graphs and schemata gradually become more complex, and are eventually replaced by an '[[algebra]]' of 'little letters' or [[matheme]]s. | The graphs and schemata gradually become more complex, and are eventually replaced by an '[[algebra]]' of 'little letters' or [[matheme]]s. | ||
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[[Matheme]]s advance and illustrate the theses that in relation to [[speech]] and writing, another [[structure]] besides that of grammar or syntax organizes [[speech]], namely the [[structure]] of the [[signifier]]. | [[Matheme]]s advance and illustrate the theses that in relation to [[speech]] and writing, another [[structure]] besides that of grammar or syntax organizes [[speech]], namely the [[structure]] of the [[signifier]]. | ||
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The [[Lacan]]ian [[matheme]] proceeds neither by faith nor by pure [[mathematics]]. | The [[Lacan]]ian [[matheme]] proceeds neither by faith nor by pure [[mathematics]]. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | * Lacan, Jacques. | + | * [[Lacan, Jacques]]. [[Écrits]]: A selection. Trans. [[Bruce Fink]]. New York: W. W. Norton. 2002. |
| − | * ——. Le Séminaire-Livre XXI, Les non-dupes errent [Those Who Aren't Duped Err/The Names of the Father] | + | * ——. [[Seminar XXI|Le Séminaire-Livre XXI, Les non-dupes errent]] ("[[Seminar XXI|Those Who Aren't Duped Err/The Names of the Father]]") 1973-1974. Unpublished [[seminar]]. |
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
Revision as of 18:58, 1 July 2006
The matheme is a concept introduced by French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan.
Mathemes are formulae, designed as symbolic representations of his psychoanalytic conceptss.
The term 'matheme is a neologism coined by Jacques Lacan in the early 1950s.
Formed by derivation from 'mathematics' and by analogy with phoneme and Levi-Strauss's mytheme, the term is an equivalent to mathematical sign'.
Lacan begins to use a variety of graphs and 'schemata' at any early stage in is work.
They were intended to introduce some degree of technical rigour in philosophical and psychological writing, as an easy way to hold, remember, and rehearse some of the core psychoanalytic conceptss.
"Matheme", for Lacan, was not simply the imitation of science by philosophy, but the ideal of a perfect means for the integral transmission of knowledge.
Mathemes
The main Lacanian mathemes in order of their appearance are:
In 1955, he introduced what could be called his first matheme, schema L, illustrating the imaginary function of the ego.
Originally used as teaching aids, these range from teh relatively simple 'schema l' illustrating the imaginary function of the ego in the 1955 paper on psychosis to the complex chart of the workings of desire.
In Greek, mathêma means "that which is taught."
- Schema L (1955), which identifies four points in the signifying chain: first, the unconscious, or the discourse of the Other (A), and then the subject (S), which in turn results from the relation between the ego (a) to the other (a) to the other (d).
- The formula of the signifier (1957), S/s, links the laws of the unconscious discovered by Freud to the laws of language (metaphor and metonymy).
Perhaps the most familiar is the 'algorithm' which in 1957 replaces Saussure's simple diagram of the sign / arbor with the notation S/s.
This is to be understood as demonstrating that the signifier is above the signified, and that the two are separated by a bar that resists signification and forces the signifier to slide endlessly.
- The "big graph" (1957) represented two different stages of the signifying chain.
Lacan situated jouissance, castration, the signifier, and the voice at the various points of intersection on this graph.
- The four discourses (1969) were used to link the discourses of the master, the university, the hysteric, and the analyst.
Four terms—S1, the master signifier; S2, knowledge; /S, the subject; and a, surplus enjoyment—turn in a circular motion to take up four successive positions defined by the discourse of the master: the agent, the other, the production of the discourse, and truth.
- The formulas of sexuation (1972) present sexual difference as a logical inscription.
Using the signs ?x, Fx, and ?x outside of the field of mathematics where they originated, Lacan inscribed a masculine psychical structure on one side and a feminine psychical structure on the other.
The graphs and schemata gradually become more complex, and are eventually replaced by an 'algebra' of 'little letters' or mathemes.
The function of the formalization that results in the emergence of the matheme is said by Lacan to be the integral tranmission of his teachings on psychoanalysis.
The Lacanian matheme is characterized by being both open and asymmetrical.
It does not tend towards closing discourse, and in spite of its character as a statement, it is primarily an enunciation.
And there lies the paradoxical aspect of the enterprise—to found a science of the subject.
Even though Lacan finally concluded that there can be no transmission of psychoanalysis, he always situated psychoanalysis within knowledge: access to the unconscious is legible and transmissible.
Mathemes advance and illustrate the theses that in relation to speech and writing, another structure besides that of grammar or syntax organizes speech, namely the structure of the signifier.
The Lacanian matheme proceeds neither by faith nor by pure mathematics.
Lacan situates religion on the side of making real, or "realizing," the symbolic of the imaginary, or RSI.
On the other hand, Lacan defined mathematics as imagining the real of the symbolic, or IRS.
If such were the case with the matheme, then it could become a model of the real.
In fact, it is no such thing.
Lacan never used mathematics as a demonstration, but as an exercise necessary for a better reading of the unconscious.
Thus the mathemes should be read with a shift that allows for them to be situated as a symbolizing of the imaginary of the real, or SIR .
See Also
References
- Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A selection. Trans. Bruce Fink. New York: W. W. Norton. 2002.
- ——. Le Séminaire-Livre XXI, Les non-dupes errent ("Those Who Aren't Duped Err/The Names of the Father") 1973-1974. Unpublished seminar.
