Difference between revisions of "Desire of the analyst"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Top}}désir de l'analyste{{Bottom}} | {{Top}}désir de l'analyste{{Bottom}} | ||
| − | The phrase | + | ==Jacques Lacan== |
| + | The phrase "[[desire of the analyst]]" is an ambiguous one that seems to oscillate in [[Lacan]]'s [[Works of Jacques Lacan|work]] between two meanings: | ||
| − | == | + | ==="Analyst Supposed to Know"=== |
| − | + | In [[psychoanalytic treatment]], the [[analyst]] attributes [[desire]] to the [[analyst]] (as well as [[knowledge]]). | |
| − | The [[analyst]] is therefore | + | The [[analyst]] is therefore a "'''[[subject supposed to know|subject supposed to desire]]'''" (as well as a "[[subject supposed to know]]"). |
| − | Thus the phrase " | + | Thus the phrase "[[desire of the analyst]]" refers to the [[desire]] that the [[analysand]] attributes to the [[analyst]] rather to the actual [[desire]] in the [[mind]] or [[psyche]] of the [[analyst]]. |
| − | ===Psychoanalytic Treatment=== | + | ====Psychoanalytic Treatment==== |
| − | The task of the [[analyst]] throughout the [[treatment]] is to make it impossible for the [[analysand]] to be sure that he knows what the [[analyst]] wants from him; the [[analyst]] must make sure that his desire "remains an x" for the [[analysand]].<ref>{{S11}} p. 274</ref> | + | The task of the [[analyst]] throughout the [[treatment]] is to make it impossible for the [[analysand]] to be sure that he knows what the [[analyst]] wants from him; the [[analyst]] must make sure that his [[desire]] "remains an x" for the [[analysand]].<ref>{{S11}} p. 274</ref> |
| − | In this way the [[analyst]]'s supposed [[desire]] becomes the driving force of the [[analytic]] [[process]], since it keeps the [[analysand]] working, trying to discover what the [[analyst]] wants from him. | + | In this way the [[analyst]]'s supposed [[desire]] becomes the [[treatment|driving force]] of the [[analytic]] [[process]], since it keeps the [[analysand]] working, trying to discover what the [[analyst]] wants from him. |
<blockquote>"The [[desire]] of the [[analyst]] is ultimately that which operates in [[psychoanalysis]]."<ref>{{Ec}} p. 854</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>"The [[desire]] of the [[analyst]] is ultimately that which operates in [[psychoanalysis]]."<ref>{{Ec}} p. 854</ref></blockquote> | ||
| − | By presenting the [[analysand]] with an enigmatic [[desire]], the [[analyst]] occupies the position of the [[Other]], of whom the [[subject]] asks '''[[Che vuoi?]]''' ("What do you want from me?"), with the result that the [[subject]]'s [[fundamental fantasy]] emerges in the [[transference]]. | + | By presenting the [[analysand]] with an enigmatic [[desire]], the [[analyst]] occupies the position of the [[Other]], of whom the [[subject]] asks "'''[[Che vuoi?]]'''" ("What do you want from me?"), with the result that the [[subject]]'s [[fantasy|fundamental fantasy]] emerges in the [[transference]]. |
| − | == | + | ===Desire Proper to the Analyst=== |
| − | The other sense of the phrase | + | The other sense of the phrase "[[desire of the analyst]]" refers to the [[desire]] which must animate the [[analyst]] in the way he directs the [[treatment]]. |
| − | === | + | ====Definition==== |
This is easier to define negatively than positively. | This is easier to define negatively than positively. | ||
| − | It is certainly not a [[desire]] for the impossible.<ref>{{S7}} p. 300</ref> | + | It is certainly not a [[desire]] for the "impossible".<ref>{{S7}} p. 300</ref> |
Nor is it a [[desire]] to "do good" or "to cure"; on the contrary, it is "a non-desire to cure."<ref>{{S7}} p. 218</ref> | Nor is it a [[desire]] to "do good" or "to cure"; on the contrary, it is "a non-desire to cure."<ref>{{S7}} p. 218</ref> | ||
| + | ====Identification==== | ||
It is not a [[desire]] that the [[analysand]] [[identification|identify]] with the [[analyst]]: | It is not a [[desire]] that the [[analysand]] [[identification|identify]] with the [[analyst]]: | ||
<blockquote>"The [[analyst]]'s [[desire]] . . . tends in a direction that is the exact opposite of [[identification]]."<ref>{{S11}} p. 274</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>"The [[analyst]]'s [[desire]] . . . tends in a direction that is the exact opposite of [[identification]]."<ref>{{S11}} p. 274</ref></blockquote> | ||
| − | + | Rather than [[identification]], the [[analyst]] [[desire]]s that the [[analysand]]'s own unique [[truth]] emerge in the [[treatment]], a [[truth]] that is absolutely different to that of the [[analyst]]; the [[analyst]]'s [[desire]] is thus "a desire to obtain absolute difference."<ref>{{S11}} p. 276</ref> | |
| − | Rather than [[identification]], the [[analyst]] [[desire]]s that the [[analysand]]'s own unique [[truth]] emerge in the [[treatment]], a [[truth]] that is absolutely different to that of the [[analyst]]; the [[analyst]]'s [[desire]] is thus "a desire to obtain absolute difference."<ref>{{S11}} p.276</ref> | ||
| − | It is in the sense of " | + | ====Ethics==== |
| + | It is in the sense of a "'''[[Desire of the analyst|desire proper to the analyst]]'''" that [[Lacan]] wishes to locate the question of the [[analyst]]'s [[desire]] at the heart of the [[ethics]] of [[psychoanalysis]]. | ||
How is it that the [[analyst]] comes to be guided by the [[desire]] which is proper to his function? | How is it that the [[analyst]] comes to be guided by the [[desire]] which is proper to his function? | ||
| − | ===Training=== | + | ====Training==== |
| − | According to [[Lacan]], this can only occur by means of a [[training analysis]]. | + | According to [[Lacan]], this can only occur by means of a [[training|training analysis]]. |
| − | The essential requirement, the condition ''sine qua non'' for becoming an [[analyst]], is to undergo [[analytic | + | The essential requirement, the condition ''sine qua non'' for becoming an [[analyst]], is to undergo [[treatment|analytic treatment]] oneself. |
| − | In the course of this [[treatment]] there will be a mutation in the economy of [[desire]] in the [[analyst | + | In the course of this [[treatment]] there will be a mutation in the economy of [[desire]] in the [[analyst|analyst-to-be]]; his [[desire]] will be [[structure|restructured]], [[structure|reorganized]].<ref>{{S8}} p. 221-2</ref> |
Only if this happens will he be able to function properly as an [[analyst]]. | Only if this happens will he be able to function properly as an [[analyst]]. | ||
Revision as of 23:25, 4 September 2006
| French: désir de l'analyste |
Jacques Lacan
The phrase "desire of the analyst" is an ambiguous one that seems to oscillate in Lacan's work between two meanings:
"Analyst Supposed to Know"
In psychoanalytic treatment, the analyst attributes desire to the analyst (as well as knowledge).
The analyst is therefore a "subject supposed to desire" (as well as a "subject supposed to know").
Thus the phrase "desire of the analyst" refers to the desire that the analysand attributes to the analyst rather to the actual desire in the mind or psyche of the analyst.
Psychoanalytic Treatment
The task of the analyst throughout the treatment is to make it impossible for the analysand to be sure that he knows what the analyst wants from him; the analyst must make sure that his desire "remains an x" for the analysand.[1]
In this way the analyst's supposed desire becomes the driving force of the analytic process, since it keeps the analysand working, trying to discover what the analyst wants from him.
"The desire of the analyst is ultimately that which operates in psychoanalysis."[2]
By presenting the analysand with an enigmatic desire, the analyst occupies the position of the Other, of whom the subject asks "Che vuoi?" ("What do you want from me?"), with the result that the subject's fundamental fantasy emerges in the transference.
Desire Proper to the Analyst
The other sense of the phrase "desire of the analyst" refers to the desire which must animate the analyst in the way he directs the treatment.
Definition
This is easier to define negatively than positively.
It is certainly not a desire for the "impossible".[3]
Nor is it a desire to "do good" or "to cure"; on the contrary, it is "a non-desire to cure."[4]
Identification
It is not a desire that the analysand identify with the analyst:
"The analyst's desire . . . tends in a direction that is the exact opposite of identification."[5]
Rather than identification, the analyst desires that the analysand's own unique truth emerge in the treatment, a truth that is absolutely different to that of the analyst; the analyst's desire is thus "a desire to obtain absolute difference."[6]
Ethics
It is in the sense of a "desire proper to the analyst" that Lacan wishes to locate the question of the analyst's desire at the heart of the ethics of psychoanalysis.
How is it that the analyst comes to be guided by the desire which is proper to his function?
Training
According to Lacan, this can only occur by means of a training analysis.
The essential requirement, the condition sine qua non for becoming an analyst, is to undergo analytic treatment oneself.
In the course of this treatment there will be a mutation in the economy of desire in the analyst-to-be; his desire will be restructured, reorganized.[7]
Only if this happens will he be able to function properly as an analyst.
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p. 274
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 854
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 300
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 218
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p. 274
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p. 276
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 221-2
