Difference between revisions of "Consciousness"
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{{Top}}conscience{{Bottom}} | {{Top}}conscience{{Bottom}} | ||
| + | ==Topographical Model== | ||
In the so-called "[[topographical model]]," [[Freud]] isolates [[consciousness]] as one of the parts of the [[psyche]], along with the [[unconscious]] and the [[preconscious]]. | In the so-called "[[topographical model]]," [[Freud]] isolates [[consciousness]] as one of the parts of the [[psyche]], along with the [[unconscious]] and the [[preconscious]]. | ||
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<blockquote>"The difficulties which this system of [[consciousness]] raises reappear at each level of [[Freud]]'s theorising."<ref>{{S2}} p.117</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>"The difficulties which this system of [[consciousness]] raises reappear at each level of [[Freud]]'s theorising."<ref>{{S2}} p.117</ref></blockquote> | ||
| + | ==Ego== | ||
In particular, [[Lacan]] rejects the apparent attempts in [[Freud]]'s work to link the [[consciousness]]-perception system to the [[ego]], unless this link is carefully theorised. | In particular, [[Lacan]] rejects the apparent attempts in [[Freud]]'s work to link the [[consciousness]]-perception system to the [[ego]], unless this link is carefully theorised. | ||
If there is a link between the [[ego]] and [[consciousness]], it is in terms of a [[lure]]. | If there is a link between the [[ego]] and [[consciousness]], it is in terms of a [[lure]]. | ||
| − | The [[illusion]] of a fully self-transparent [[consciousness]] is subverted by the whole [[psychoanalytic]] experience (see ''[[cogito]]''). | + | The [[illusion]] of a fully [[mirror|self-transparent]] [[consciousness]] is subverted by the whole [[psychoanalytic]] experience (see ''[[cogito]]''). |
| − | <blockquote>"[[Consciousness]] in [[man]] is by essence a polar tension between an [[ego]] alienated from the [[subject]] and a perception which fundamentally escapes it, a pure ''percipi''."<ref>{{S2}} p.177</ref></blockquote> | + | <blockquote>"[[Consciousness]] in [[man]] is by essence a polar tension between an [[ego]] alienated from the [[subject]] and a perception which fundamentally escapes it, a pure ''percipi''."<ref>{{S2}} p. 177</ref></blockquote> |
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| + | ==Materialism== | ||
In 1954 [[Lacan]] gives "a [[materialist]] definition of the phenomenon of [[consciousness]]."<ref>{{S2}} p.40-52</ref> | In 1954 [[Lacan]] gives "a [[materialist]] definition of the phenomenon of [[consciousness]]."<ref>{{S2}} p.40-52</ref> | ||
| − | + | However, [[materialism|matter]] is not to be confused with [[nature]]. | |
| − | However, matter is not to be confused with [[nature]]. | ||
[[Lacan]] argues that [[consciousness]] does not evolve from the [[natural]] [[order]]. | [[Lacan]] argues that [[consciousness]] does not evolve from the [[natural]] [[order]]. | ||
| − | It is radically discontinuous, and its origin is more akin to creation than to evolution.<ref>{{S7}} 213-14; 223</ref> | + | It is radically discontinuous, and its origin is more akin to creation than to evolution.<ref>{{S7}} p. 213-14; 223</ref> |
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| + | ==Subject Supposed to Know== | ||
In the 1960s [[Lacan]] rethinks the [[illusion]] of a [[consciousness|self-consciousness]] (''[[consciousness|Selbstbe-wufltsein]]'') fully present to itself in terms of his concept of the [[subject supposed to know]]. | In the 1960s [[Lacan]] rethinks the [[illusion]] of a [[consciousness|self-consciousness]] (''[[consciousness|Selbstbe-wufltsein]]'') fully present to itself in terms of his concept of the [[subject supposed to know]]. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| − | * [[ | + | {{See}} |
| + | * ''[[Cogito]]'' | ||
| + | * [[Ego]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Materialism]] | ||
| + | * [[Mirror stage]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Nature]] | ||
| + | * [[Subject]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Subject supposed to know]] | ||
| + | * [[Unconscious]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Concepts]] | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
| + | {{OK}} | ||
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| + | __NOTOC__ | ||
Revision as of 10:22, 24 August 2006
| French: conscience |
Topographical Model
In the so-called "topographical model," Freud isolates consciousness as one of the parts of the psyche, along with the unconscious and the preconscious.
Lacan finds Freud's remarks on consciousness far weaker than his formulations on the unconscious.
"While he [Freud] can give a coherent, balanced account of the majority of other parts of the psychic apparatus, when it's a question of consciousness, he always encounters mutually contradictory conditions."[1]
According to Lacan, Freud's problems with discussing consciousness return again and again to haunt his theory:
"The difficulties which this system of consciousness raises reappear at each level of Freud's theorising."[2]
Ego
In particular, Lacan rejects the apparent attempts in Freud's work to link the consciousness-perception system to the ego, unless this link is carefully theorised.
If there is a link between the ego and consciousness, it is in terms of a lure.
The illusion of a fully self-transparent consciousness is subverted by the whole psychoanalytic experience (see cogito).
"Consciousness in man is by essence a polar tension between an ego alienated from the subject and a perception which fundamentally escapes it, a pure percipi."[3]
Materialism
In 1954 Lacan gives "a materialist definition of the phenomenon of consciousness."[4]
However, matter is not to be confused with nature.
Lacan argues that consciousness does not evolve from the natural order.
It is radically discontinuous, and its origin is more akin to creation than to evolution.[5]
Subject Supposed to Know
In the 1960s Lacan rethinks the illusion of a self-consciousness (Selbstbe-wufltsein) fully present to itself in terms of his concept of the subject supposed to know.
See Also
References
- ↑ 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.117
- ↑ 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.117
- ↑ 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. 177
- ↑ 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.40-52
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 213-14; 223
