Difference between revisions of "Autonomous ego"

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The term '[[autonomous ego]]' was coined by the proponents of [[ego-psychology]].  
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==Ego-Psychology==
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The term "[[autonomous ego]]" was coined by the proponents of [[ego-psychology]].  
  
==Ego-Psychology==
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According to the proponents of [[ego-psychology]], the [[ego]] becomes [[autonomous]] by achieving a harmonious balance between its primitive [[drive]]s and the dictates of [[reality]].  
According to the proponents of [[ego-psychology]], the [[ego]] becomes [[autonomous]] by achieving a harmonious balance between its primitive drives and the dictates of reality.  
 
  
 
The [[autonomous ego]] is thus synomymous with "the strong ego," "the well-adapted ego," "the healthy ego."  
 
The [[autonomous ego]] is thus synomymous with "the strong ego," "the well-adapted ego," "the healthy ego."  
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[[Psychoanalysis]] was conceived of by the proponents of [[ego-psychology]] as the process of helping the [[analysand]]s [[ego]] to become [[autonomous]]: this was supposed to be achieved by the [[identification]] of the [[analysand]] with the strong [[ego]] of the [[analyst]].
 
[[Psychoanalysis]] was conceived of by the proponents of [[ego-psychology]] as the process of helping the [[analysand]]s [[ego]] to become [[autonomous]]: this was supposed to be achieved by the [[identification]] of the [[analysand]] with the strong [[ego]] of the [[analyst]].
  
 
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==Lacan's Criticism==
==Jacques Lacan==
 
 
[[Lacan]] is very critical of the concept of the [[autonomous ego]].<ref>{{E}} p.306-7</ref>  
 
[[Lacan]] is very critical of the concept of the [[autonomous ego]].<ref>{{E}} p.306-7</ref>  
  
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It is the [[symbolic order]], and not the [[ego]], which enjoys [[autonomy]].
 
It is the [[symbolic order]], and not the [[ego]], which enjoys [[autonomy]].
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==See Also==
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{{See}}
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* [[Adaptation]]
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* [[Analysand]]
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* [[Analyst]]
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* [[Ego]]
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* [[Ego-psychology]]
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* [[Identification]]
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* [[Narcissism]]
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* [[Psychology]]
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* [[Reality]]
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{{Also}}
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
  
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
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[[Category:Psychology]]
 
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
 
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]

Revision as of 11:43, 21 August 2006

Ego-Psychology

The term "autonomous ego" was coined by the proponents of ego-psychology.

According to the proponents of ego-psychology, the ego becomes autonomous by achieving a harmonious balance between its primitive drives and the dictates of reality.

The autonomous ego is thus synomymous with "the strong ego," "the well-adapted ego," "the healthy ego."

Psychoanalysis was conceived of by the proponents of ego-psychology as the process of helping the analysands ego to become autonomous: this was supposed to be achieved by the identification of the analysand with the strong ego of the analyst.

Lacan's Criticism

Lacan is very critical of the concept of the autonomous ego.[1]

He argues that the ego is not free but determined by the symbolic order.

The autonomy of the ego is simply a narcissistic illusion of mastery.

It is the symbolic order, and not the ego, which enjoys autonomy.

See Also

References

  1. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.306-7