Algebra

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Algebra (Fr. algèbre) is a branch of mathematics

  • which reduces the solution of problems to manipulations of symbolic expressions, and
  • concerned with the properties and relationships of abstract entities represented in symbolic form.

Jacques Lacan

Jacques Lacan begins to use algebraic symbols in 1955 -- in an attempt to formalise psychoanalysis.

Formalization of Psychoanalysis

Three main reasons lie behind this attempt at formalization.

1. Formalization is necessary for psychoanalysis to acquire scientific status.
Just as Claude Lévi-Strauss uses quasi-mathematical formulae in an attempt to set anthropology on a more scientific footing, Lacan attempts to do the same for psychoanalysis
Lacan used quasi-mathematical formulae in an attempt to set psychoanalysis on a more scientific footing.
2. Formalization can provide a core of psychoanalytic theory which can be transmitted integrally even to those who have never experienced psychoanalytic treatment.
The formulae thus become an essential aspect of the training of psychoanalysis which take their place alongside training analysis as a medium for the transmission of psychoanalytic knowledge.
3. Formalization of psychoanalytic theory in terms of algebraic symbols is a means of preventing intuitive understanding, which Lacan regards as an imaginary lure which hinders access to the symbolic.
Rather than being understood in an intuitive way, the algebraic symbols are to be used, manipulated and read in various different ways.[1]

List of Algebraic Symbols

The algebraic symbols used by Lacan, which appear principally in the mathemes, schema l and the graph of desire, are listed below, together with their most common meaning.

However, it is important to remember that the symbols do not always refer to the same concept throughout Lacan's work, but are used in different ways as his work develops.

Therefore some caution should be exercised when referring to the following list of equivalences.


SYMBOL TRANSLATION
A the big Other
A the barred Other
a (see objet petit a
a' (see objet petit a
BigS.gif 1. (before 1957) the subject
2.(from 1957 on) the signifier
3. (in the schemas of Sade) the raw subject of pleasure
StrikeS.gif the barred subject
SS1.gif the master signifier
SS2.gif the signifying chain/knowledge
s the signified (in the Saussurean algorithm
StrikeS(A).gif the signifier of a lack in the Other
S(a).gif the signification of the Other (the message/symptom)
D Demand
d Desire
m the ego (moi)
i the specular image (schema R)
i(a) 1. the specular image (graph of desire)
2. the ideal ego (optical model)
I the ego-ideal (schema R)
I(A) the ego-ideal (graph of desire)
Π the real phallus
Φ the symbolic phallus [upper-case phi]
(-φ) the imaginary phallus [lower-case phi]
S the symbolic order (schema R)
R the field of reality (schema R)
I the imaginary order (schema R)
P the symbolic father / Name-of-the-Father
p the imaginary father
M the symbolic mother
J Jouissance
phallic jouissance
JA the jouissance of the Other
E the statement
e the enunciation
V the will-to-enjoy (volonté de jouissance)


Typographic Details

The typographic details and diacritics are extremely important in Lacanian algebra.


The difference between upper- and lower-case symbols, the difference between italicised and non-italicised symbols, the use of the apostrophe, the minus sign, and subscripts; all these details play their part in the algebraic system.

For example the upper-case letters usually refer to the symbolic order, whereas the lower-case letters usually refer to the imaginary.

The use of the bar is also important.

See Also

References

  1. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.313

See Also