Difference between revisions of "Quaternary"
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+ | ==Structure== | ||
A [[quaternary]] is a [[structure]] which comprises four elements. | A [[quaternary]] is a [[structure]] which comprises four elements. | ||
− | Although [[Lacan]]'s rejection of dualistic schemas in favour of an emphasis on the triangular structure of the [[symbolic]] involves a predominance of triadic schemes in his work, Lacan also insists on the importance of fourfold schemes: | + | Although [[Lacan]]'s [[rejection]] of dualistic schemas in favour of an emphasis on the [[triangular]] structure of the [[symbolic]] involves a predominance of triadic schemes in his [[work]], Lacan also insists on the importance of fourfold schemes: |
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− | - | + | <blockquote>A quadripartite structure has, since the introduction of the [[unconscious]], always been required in the con- struction of a [[subjective]] ordering.<ref>{{Ec}} p. 774</ref></blockquote> |
− | The emphasis on the [[quaternary]] first comes to the fore in Lacan's work | + | ==Anthropology== |
+ | The emphasis on the [[quaternary]] first comes to the fore in Lacan's work in the early 1950s, and is perhaps due to the influence of Claude LÈvi-[[Strauss]], whose work on the structure of the avunculate shows that the basic unit of kinship always involves a minimum of four [[terms]].<ref>[[Levi-Strauss]], 1945</ref> | ||
− | Thus, in a 1953 paper which deals with the neurotic's 'individual myth' (another reference to | + | Thus, in a 1953 paper which deals with the [[neurotic]]'s '[[individual]] [[myth]]' ([[another]] reference to Levi-Strauss), Lacan remarks that "there is within the neurotic a quartet [[situation]],"<ref>{{L}} 1953b: 231</ref> and adds that this quartet can demonstrate the particularities of each [[case]] of [[neurosis]] more rigorously than the traditional triangular thematisation of the [[Oedipus]] [[complex]].<ref>{{L}} 1953b:232</ref> |
− | He concludes that "the whole oedipal schema needs to be re-examined."<ref> | + | He concludes that "the [[whole]] [[oedipal]] [[schema]] [[needs]] to be re-examined."<ref>{{L}} 1953b: 235</ref> |
− | Thus, in addition to the three elements of the Oedipus complex (mother, child, father), Lacan often speaks of a fourth element; sometimes he argues that this fourth element is [[death]],<ref> | + | Thus, in addition to the [[three]] elements of the [[Oedipus complex]] ([[mother]], [[child]], [[father]]), Lacan often speaks of a fourth element; sometimes he argues that this fourth element is [[death]],<ref>{{L}} 1953b: 237; S4, 431</ref> and at [[other]] [[times]] he argues that it is the [[phallus]].<ref>{{S3}} p.319</ref> |
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− | In 1955, Lacan goes on to compare psychoanalytic treatment to bridge, "a game for four players."<ref>{{E}} p.139, 229-230</ref> | + | In 1955, [[Lacan]] goes on to compare [[psychoanalytic treatment]] to bridge, "a [[game]] for four players."<ref>{{E}} p.139, 229-230</ref> |
− | In the same year, he describes a quaternary made up of a | + | In the same year, he describes a [[quaternary]] made up of a [[triad]]ic [[structure]] plus a fourth element (the [[letter]]) which circulates among these three elements.<ref>{{L}} 1955a</ref> |
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− | Other important [[quaternary]] [[structure]]s which appear in Lacan's work are [[schema L]] (which has four nodes), the four partial drives and their four corresponding [[part-object]]s, and the [[four discourses]] (each of which has four symbols assigned to four places). | + | Other important [[quaternary]] [[structure]]s which appear in [[Lacan]]'s work are [[schema L]] (which has four nodes), the four [[partial]] [[drives]] and their four corresponding [[part-object]]s, and the [[four discourses]] (each of which has four [[symbols]] assigned to four places). |
− | [[Lacan]] also enumerates four "fundamental concepts of psychoanalysis"<ref> | + | [[Lacan]] also enumerates four "fundamental [[concepts]] of [[psychoanalysis]]"<ref>{{L}} 1964a</ref> and speaks of the [[sinthome]] as a fourth ring which prevents the other three rings in the [[borromean knot]] (the three [[orders]] of the [[real]], the [[symbolic]] and the [[imaginary]]) from becoming separated. |
== References == | == References == | ||
+ | <div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small"> | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
+ | </div> | ||
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] |
Latest revision as of 21:48, 20 May 2019
French: quaternaire |
Structure
A quaternary is a structure which comprises four elements.
Although Lacan's rejection of dualistic schemas in favour of an emphasis on the triangular structure of the symbolic involves a predominance of triadic schemes in his work, Lacan also insists on the importance of fourfold schemes:
A quadripartite structure has, since the introduction of the unconscious, always been required in the con- struction of a subjective ordering.[1]
Anthropology
The emphasis on the quaternary first comes to the fore in Lacan's work in the early 1950s, and is perhaps due to the influence of Claude LÈvi-Strauss, whose work on the structure of the avunculate shows that the basic unit of kinship always involves a minimum of four terms.[2]
Thus, in a 1953 paper which deals with the neurotic's 'individual myth' (another reference to Levi-Strauss), Lacan remarks that "there is within the neurotic a quartet situation,"[3] and adds that this quartet can demonstrate the particularities of each case of neurosis more rigorously than the traditional triangular thematisation of the Oedipus complex.[4]
He concludes that "the whole oedipal schema needs to be re-examined."[5]
Thus, in addition to the three elements of the Oedipus complex (mother, child, father), Lacan often speaks of a fourth element; sometimes he argues that this fourth element is death,[6] and at other times he argues that it is the phallus.[7]
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In 1955, Lacan goes on to compare psychoanalytic treatment to bridge, "a game for four players."[8]
In the same year, he describes a quaternary made up of a triadic structure plus a fourth element (the letter) which circulates among these three elements.[9]
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Other important quaternary structures which appear in Lacan's work are schema L (which has four nodes), the four partial drives and their four corresponding part-objects, and the four discourses (each of which has four symbols assigned to four places).
Lacan also enumerates four "fundamental concepts of psychoanalysis"[10] and speaks of the sinthome as a fourth ring which prevents the other three rings in the borromean knot (the three orders of the real, the symbolic and the imaginary) from becoming separated.
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 774
- ↑ Levi-Strauss, 1945
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1953b: 231
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1953b:232
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1953b: 235
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1953b: 237; S4, 431
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.319
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.139, 229-230
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1955a
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1964a