Difference between revisions of "Demand"

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demand (demande)                  The French terms demander and demande lack the
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{{Top}}demande{{Bottom}}
  
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  connotations of imperativeness and urgency conveyed by the English word
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==Jacques Lacan==
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==Early Work==
  
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    'demand', and are perhaps closer to the English words 'ask for' and 'request'.
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[[Lacan]] begins to use the term "[[demand]]" in 1958.
  
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However, all English translations of Lacan use the term 'demand' in order to
 
  
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maintain consistency.
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In the [[seminar]] of 1956-7, [[Lacan]] argues that the '''cry''' of the '''[[helplessness|human infant]]''' -- its '''call''' (''l'appel'') to the '''[[mother]]''' -- is not merely an [[instinct|instinctual signal]] but is "inserted in a [[synchronic]] [[world]] of cries organized in a symbolic [[system]]."<ref>{{S4}} p. 182, 188</ref>
  
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      Although the term 'demand' only begins to figure prominently in Lacan's
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In other [[words]], the [[infant]]'s screams become organized in a [[linguistic]] [[structure]] long before the [[child]] is capable of articulating recognizable words.
  
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    work from 1958 on, related themes are already present in the 1956-7 seminar.
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==Need, Demand and Desire==
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It is the [[symbolic|symbolic nature]] of the infant's screams which forms the kernel of [[Lacan]]'s [[concept]] of [[demand]], which Lacan introduces in 1958 in the context of his [[distinction]] between [[need]], [[demand]] and [[desire]].
  
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  It is in this seminar that Lacan discusses the call (l'appel), the baby's cry to the
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==Articulation of Need==
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Lacan argues that since the [[infant]] is incapable of performing the specific actions that would [[satisfy]] its [[biological]] [[need]]s, it must articulate those [[need]]s in vocal [[form]] ([[demand]]s) so that [[another]] (the [[mother]]) will perform the specific [[action]] instead.
  
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  mother (S4, 182). Lacan argues that this cry (cri) is not merely an instinctual
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The primary example of such a [[biological]] [[need]] is hunger, which the [[child]] articulates in a scream ([[demand]]) so that the [[mother]] will feed it.
  
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signal but 'is inserted in a synchronic world of cries organised in a symbolic
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==Demand for the Other's Love==
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However, because the object]] which [[satisfies]] the [[child]]'s [[need]] is provided by another, it takes on the added [[significance]] of [[being]] a proof of the [[Other]]'s [[love]].
  
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system' (S4, 188). In other words, the infant's screams become organised in a
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Accordingly [[demand]] too acquires a [[double]] function: in addition to articualting a [[need]], it also becomes a [[demand]] for [[love]].
  
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linguistic structure long before the child is capable of articulating recognisable
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And just as the [[symbolic]] function of the [[object]] as a proof of [[love]] overshadows its [[real]] function as that which [[satisfies]] a [[need]], so too the [[symbolic]] [[dimension]] of [[demand]] (as a [[demand]] for [[love]]) eclipses its real function (as an articulation of [[need]]).
  
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    words.
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=Desire=
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It is this double function which gives [[birth]] to [[desire]], since while the [[need]]s which [[demand]] articulates may be [[satisfied]], the craving for [[love]] is unconditional and [[insatiable]], and hence persists as a leftover even after the [[need]]s have been satisfied; this leftover constitutes [[desire]].
  
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      It is the symbolic nature of the infant's screams which forms the kernel of
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==Helplessness==
 +
[[Demand]] is thus intimately linked to the [[human]] [[subject]]'s initial [[helplessness]].
  
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  Lacan's concept of demand, which Lacan introduces in 1958 in the context of
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By forcing the [[analysand]] to express himself entirely in [[speech]], the [[treatment|psychoanalytic situation]] puts him back in the [[position]] of the [[helpless]] [[infant]], thus encouraging [[regression]].
  
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  his distinction between NEED, demand and DESIRE. Lacan argues that since the
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<blockquote>"Through the mediation of the demand, the [[whole]] [[past]] opens up [[right]] to early infancy. [[The Subject|The subject]] has never done anything other than demand, he could not have survived otherwise, an we just follow on from there."<ref>{{E}} p. 254</ref></blockquote>
  
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    infant is incapable of performing the specific actions that would satisfy its
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==Analysand==
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However, while the [[speech]] of the [[analysand]] is itself already a [[demand]] (for a reply), this [[demand]] is underpinned by deeper [[demand]]s (to be [[cure]]d, to be revealed to himself, to become an [[analyst]]).<ref>{{E}} p. 254</ref>
  
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biological needs, it must articulate those needs in vocal form (demands) so that
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==Analyst==
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The question of how the [[analyst]] engages with these [[demands]] is crucial.
  
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    another (the mother) will perform the specific action instead. The primary
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Certainly the [[analyst]] does not attempt to gratify the [[analysand]]'s [[demand]]s, but nor is it simply a question of [[frustration|frustrating]] [[them]].
  
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example of such a biological need is hunger, which the child articulates in a
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==Development==
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In 1961, [[Lacan]] rethinks the various [[stages]] of [[libidinal]] organisation as forms of [[demand]].
  
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  scream (a demand) so that the mother will feed it.
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The [[development|oral phase]] of [[development]] is constituted by a [[demand]] (made by the [[subject]]) to be fed (which is a [[demand]] made by the [[subject]]).
  
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      However, because the object which satisfies the child's need is provided by
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In the [[development|anal stage]], on the other hand, it is not a question of the [[subject]]'s [[demand]], but the [[demand]] of the [[Other]] (the parent who disciplines the child in potty-[[training]]).<ref>{{S8}} p. 238-46, 269</ref>
  
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In both of these [[development|pregenital stage]]s the [[satisfaction]] of [[demand]] eclipses [[desire]]; only in the [[genital stage]] does [[desire]] comes to be fully constituted.<ref>{{S8}} p. 270</ref>
  
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another, it takes on the added significance of being a proof of the Other's love.
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==See Also==
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{{See}}
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* [[Analysand]]
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* [[Analyst]]
 +
||
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* [[Biology]]
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* [[Development]]
 +
||
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* [[Desire]]
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* [[Love]]
 +
||
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* [[Mother]]
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* [[Need]]
 +
||
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* [[Other]]
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* [[Speech]]
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||
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* [[Structure]]
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* [[Treatment]]
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{{Also}}
  
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Accordingly demand too acquires a double function: in addition to articulating
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==References==
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<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
 +
<references/>
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</div>
  
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  a need, it also becomes a demand for love. And just as the symbolic function of
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[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
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[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
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the object as      a proof of love overshadows its real function        as that which
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[[Category:Dictionary]]
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[[Category:Treatment]]
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satisfies a need, so too the symbolic dimension of demand (as a demand for
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[[Category:Practice]]
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[[Category:Concepts]]
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love) eclipses its real function (as an articulation of need). It is this double
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[[Category:Terms]]
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{{OK}}
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function which gives birth to desire, since while the needs which demand
 
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  articulates may be satisfied, the craving for love is unconditional and insati-
 
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able, and hence persists as a leftover even after the needs have been satisfied;
 
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this leftover constitutes desire.
 
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      Demand is thus intimately linked to the human subject's initial HELPLESSNESS.
 
−
 
 
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By forcing the analysand to express himself entirely in speech, the psycho-
 
−
 
 
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analytic situation puts him back in the position of the helpless infant, thus
 
−
 
 
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encouraging REGRESSION.
 
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      Through the mediation of the demand, the whole past opens up right down to
 
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      early infancy. The subject has never done anything other than demand, he
 
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      could not have survived otherwise, and we just follow on from there.
 
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                                                                                                                  (E, 254)
 
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However, while the speech of the analysand is itself already a demand (for a
 
−
 
 
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reply), this demand is underpinned by deeper demands (to be cured, to be
 
  
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  revealed to himself, to become an analyst) (E, 254). The question of how the
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__NOTOC__
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analyst engages with these demands is crucial. Certainly the analyst does not
 
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    attempt to gratify the analysand's demands, but nor is it simply a question of
 
−
 
 
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frustrating them (see FRUSTRATION).
 
−
 
 
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      In 1961, Lacan rethinks the various stages of libidinal organisation as forms
 
−
 
 
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    of demand. The oral stage is constituted by a demand to be fed, which is a
 
−
 
 
−
    demand made by the subject. In the anal stage, on the other hand, it is not a
 
−
 
 
−
question of the subject's demand, but the demand of the Other (the parent who
 
−
 
 
−
disciplines the child in potty-training) (S8, 238-46, 269). In both of these
 
−
 
 
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pregenital stages the satisfaction of demand eclipses desire; only in the genital
 
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    stage does desire come to be fully constituted (S8, 270).
 
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== deff ==
 
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In [[Lacan]]ian [[psychoanalysis]], a '''demand''' results when a [[lack (psychoanalysis)|lack]] in [[the Real]] is phrased into [[the Symbolic]] medium of [[language]]. Whether or not demands achieve their apparent aims, they are always successful in the sense that all parapraxes or slips of the tongue are successful - they faithfully express [[unconscious]] signifying formations.
 
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But because the Real is never totally symbolizable, a residue or kernel of [[desire (psychoanalysis)|desire]] is left behind by every demand, representing a lost surplus of [[jouissance]] for the [[subject (philosophy)|subject]]. "Don't give me what I ask for, that's not it."
 
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[[Category:Lacan]]
 
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[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:46, 27 May 2019

French: demande

Jacques Lacan

Early Work

Lacan begins to use the term "demand" in 1958.


In the seminar of 1956-7, Lacan argues that the cry of the human infant -- its call (l'appel) to the mother -- is not merely an instinctual signal but is "inserted in a synchronic world of cries organized in a symbolic system."[1]

In other words, the infant's screams become organized in a linguistic structure long before the child is capable of articulating recognizable words.

Need, Demand and Desire

It is the symbolic nature of the infant's screams which forms the kernel of Lacan's concept of demand, which Lacan introduces in 1958 in the context of his distinction between need, demand and desire.

Articulation of Need

Lacan argues that since the infant is incapable of performing the specific actions that would satisfy its biological needs, it must articulate those needs in vocal form (demands) so that another (the mother) will perform the specific action instead.

The primary example of such a biological need is hunger, which the child articulates in a scream (demand) so that the mother will feed it.

Demand for the Other's Love

However, because the object]] which satisfies the child's need is provided by another, it takes on the added significance of being a proof of the Other's love.

Accordingly demand too acquires a double function: in addition to articualting a need, it also becomes a demand for love.

And just as the symbolic function of the object as a proof of love overshadows its real function as that which satisfies a need, so too the symbolic dimension of demand (as a demand for love) eclipses its real function (as an articulation of need).

Desire

It is this double function which gives birth to desire, since while the needs which demand articulates may be satisfied, the craving for love is unconditional and insatiable, and hence persists as a leftover even after the needs have been satisfied; this leftover constitutes desire.

Helplessness

Demand is thus intimately linked to the human subject's initial helplessness.

By forcing the analysand to express himself entirely in speech, the psychoanalytic situation puts him back in the position of the helpless infant, thus encouraging regression.

"Through the mediation of the demand, the whole past opens up right to early infancy. The subject has never done anything other than demand, he could not have survived otherwise, an we just follow on from there."[2]

Analysand

However, while the speech of the analysand is itself already a demand (for a reply), this demand is underpinned by deeper demands (to be cured, to be revealed to himself, to become an analyst).[3]

Analyst

The question of how the analyst engages with these demands is crucial.

Certainly the analyst does not attempt to gratify the analysand's demands, but nor is it simply a question of frustrating them.

Development

In 1961, Lacan rethinks the various stages of libidinal organisation as forms of demand.

The oral phase of development is constituted by a demand (made by the subject) to be fed (which is a demand made by the subject).

In the anal stage, on the other hand, it is not a question of the subject's demand, but the demand of the Other (the parent who disciplines the child in potty-training).[4]

In both of these pregenital stages the satisfaction of demand eclipses desire; only in the genital stage does desire comes to be fully constituted.[5]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 182, 188
  2. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 254
  3. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 254
  4. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 238-46, 269
  5. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 270


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