Difference between revisions of "Desire of the analyst"

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{{Top}}désir de l'analyste{{Bottom}}
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{{Top}}[[désir]] de l'[[analyste]]{{Bottom}}
  
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=====Jacques Lacan=====
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The term "[[desire of the analyst]]" is ambiguous, and oscillates between two [[meanings]] in [[Lacan]]'s [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|work]].
  
==Jacques Lacan==
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=====Desire ''Attributed'' to the Analyst=====
 
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In the first [[sense]] of the term, the "[[desire of the analyst]]" refers to the [[desire]] that the [[analysand]] ''attributes'' to the [[analyst]] (in addition to [[knowledge]]) in [[psychoanalytic treatment]], rather than the [[desire]] ''proper'' to the [[analyst]] (in his [[mind]] or [[psyche]]).
The term "[[desire of the analyst]]" is ambiguous, and oscillates between two meanings in [[Lacan]]'s [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|work]].
 
 
 
====Desire ''Proper'' to the Analyst====
 
First, the term simply refers to the [[desire]] of the [[analyst]] (in his [[mind]] or [[psyche]]), that is, the [[desire]] that animates the [[analyst]] in the way he directs the [[treatment]].
 
 
 
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]].
 
 
 
====Desire ''Attributed'' to the Analyst====
 
The other sense of the phrase "[[desire of the analyst]]" refers to the [[desire]]  
 
 
 
In [[psychoanalytic treatment]], the [[analyst]] attributes [[desire]] to the [[analyst]] (as well as [[knowledge]]).
 
  
 
The [[analyst]] is therefore a "'''[[subject supposed to know|subject supposed to desire]]'''" (as well as a "[[subject supposed to know]]").
 
The [[analyst]] is therefore a "'''[[subject supposed to know|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]].
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=====Desire ''Proper'' to the Analyst=====
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In the second sense of the term, the "[[desire of the analyst]]" refers to the ''actual'' [[desire]] of the [[analyst]], which animates the [[analyst]] in the way he directs the [[treatment]].
  
 
=====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>
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In [[psychoanalytic treatment]]
  
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.
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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>
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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 [[fantasy|fundamental fantasy]] emerges in the [[transference]].
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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]].
 
 
  
 
====Definition====
 
====Definition====
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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>
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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====
 
====Identification====
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<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>
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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>
  
 
====Ethics====
 
====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]].
 
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?  
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====Training====
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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|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 [[treatment|analytic treatment]] oneself.  
 
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|analyst-to-be]]; his [[desire]] will be [[structure|restructured]], [[structure|reorganized]].<ref>{{S8}} p. 221-2</ref>
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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]].
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==References==
 
==References==
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<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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</div>
  
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]

Latest revision as of 05:30, 24 May 2019

French: [[désir de l'analyste]]
Jacques Lacan

The term "desire of the analyst" is ambiguous, and oscillates between two meanings in Lacan's work.

Desire Attributed to the Analyst

In the first sense of the term, the "desire of the analyst" refers to the desire that the analysand attributes to the analyst (in addition to knowledge) in psychoanalytic treatment, rather than the desire proper to the analyst (in his mind or psyche).

The analyst is therefore a "subject supposed to desire" (as well as a "subject supposed to know").

Desire Proper to the Analyst

In the second sense of the term, the "desire of the analyst" refers to the actual desire of the analyst, which animates the analyst in the way he directs the treatment.

Psychoanalytic Treatment

In 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.

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.

Training

How is it that the analyst comes to be guided by the desire which is proper to his function?

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

  1. 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
  2. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 854
  3. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 300
  4. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 218
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 221-2