Difference between revisions of "Ego-ideal"

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==Sigmund Freud==
 
==Sigmund Freud==
 
==Ego-Ideal, Ideal Ego and Superego==
 
==Ego-Ideal, Ideal Ego and Superego==
In [[Freud]]'s writings, it is difficult to discern any systematic distinction between the three related terms "[[ego-ideal]]" (''[[Ich-ideal]]''), "[[ideal ego]]" (''[[Ideal Ich]]''), and [[superego]] (''[[Superego|Über-Ich]]''), although neither are the terms simply used interchangeably.  
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In [[Freud]]'s writings, it is difficult to discern any systematic [[distinction]] between the [[three]] related [[terms]] "[[ego-ideal]]" (''[[Ich-ideal]]''), "[[ideal ego]]" (''[[Ideal Ich]]''), and [[superego]] (''[[Superego|Über-Ich]]''), although neither are the terms simply used interchangeably.  
  
 
==Jacques Lacan==
 
==Jacques Lacan==
[[Lacan]], however, argues that these three "[[ego-ideal|formations of the ego]]" are each quite distinct concepts which must not be confused with one another.
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[[Lacan]], however, argues that these three "[[ego-ideal|formations of the ego]]" are each quite distinct [[concepts]] which must not be confused with one [[another]].
  
 
==Ego-Ideal and Superego==
 
==Ego-Ideal and Superego==
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===Identification with the Father===
 
===Identification with the Father===
Although both the [[ego-ideal]] and the [[superego]] are linked with the decline of the [[Oedipus complex]], and both are products of [[identification]] with the [[father]], [[Lacan]] argues that they represent different aspects of the [[father]]'s dual role.
+
Although both the [[ego-ideal]] and the [[superego]] are linked with the decline of the [[Oedipus complex]], and both are products of [[identification]] with the [[father]], [[Lacan]] argues that they [[represent]] different aspects of the [[father]]'s [[dual]] [[role]].
  
 
===Repression and Sublimation===
 
===Repression and Sublimation===
The [[superego]] is an [[unconscious]] [[agency]] whose function is to [[repression|repress]] [[sexuality|sexual]] [[desire]] for the [[mother]], whereas the [[ego-ideal]] exerts a [[conscious]] pressure towards [[sublimation]] and provides the coordinates which enable the [[subject]] to take up a [[sexual difference|sexual position]] as a [[man]] or [[woman]].<ref>{{L}} ''[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Les complexes familiaux dans la formation de l'individu. Essai d'analyse d'une fonction en psychologie]]'', Paris: Navarin, 1984. p. 59-62</ref>
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The [[superego]] is an [[unconscious]] [[agency]] whose function is to [[repression|repress]] [[sexuality|sexual]] [[desire]] for the [[mother]], whereas the [[ego-ideal]] exerts a [[conscious]] pressure towards [[sublimation]] and provides the coordinates which enable the [[subject]] to take up a [[sexual difference|sexual position]] as a [[man]] or [[woman]].<ref>{{L}} ''[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Les complexes familiaux dans la formation de l'individu. Essai d'analyse d'une fonction en psychologie]]'', [[Paris]]: Navarin, 1984. p. 59-62</ref>
  
 
==Ego-Ideal and the Ideal Ego==
 
==Ego-Ideal and the Ideal Ego==
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===Symbolic===
 
===Symbolic===
The [[ego-ideal]] is the [[signifier]] operating as [[idealism|ideal]], an internalized plan of the [[law]], the guide governing the [[subject]]'s position in the [[symbolic]] [[order]], and hence anticipates secondary ([[Oedipal]]) [[identification]] or is a product of that [[identification]].<ref>{{S1}} p. 141</ref>
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The [[ego-ideal]] is the [[signifier]] operating as [[idealism|ideal]], an internalized plan of the [[law]], the [[guide]] governing the [[subject]]'s [[position]] in the [[symbolic]] [[order]], and hence anticipates secondary ([[Oedipal]]) [[identification]] or is a product of that [[identification]].<ref>{{S1}} p. 141</ref>
  
 
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But for the subject to come into being, one must find "a guide beyond the imaginary, on the level of the symbolic plane. . . . This guide governing the subject is the ego-ideal" (1988a, p. 141). The ego-ideal, according to Lacan, is the Other (caregiver) speaking. From that point on, the symbolic order (language) dominates over the imaginary order, which is reduced to being a decoy
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But for the subject to come into [[being]], one must find "a guide beyond [[the imaginary]], on the level of [[the symbolic]] plane. . . . This guide governing the subject is the ego-[[ideal]]" (1988a, p. 141). The ego-ideal, according to Lacan, is the [[Other]] (caregiver) [[speaking]]. From that point on, the [[symbolic order]] ([[language]]) dominates over the [[imaginary order]], which is reduced to being a decoy
 
-->
 
-->
 
===Imaginary===
 
===Imaginary===
The [[ideal ego]], on the other hand, originates in the [[specular image]] of the [[mirror stage]]; it is a promise of future [[dialectic|synthesis]] towards which the [[ego]] tends, the [[illusion]] of [[autonomy|unity]] on which the [[ego]] is built.
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The [[ideal ego]], on the other hand, originates in the [[specular image]] of the [[mirror stage]]; it is a promise of [[future]] [[dialectic|synthesis]] towards which the [[ego]] tends, the [[illusion]] of [[autonomy|unity]] on which the [[ego]] is built.
  
The [[ideal ego]] always accompanies the [[ego]], as an ever-present attempt to regain the omnipotence of the [[preoedipal]] [[dual relation]]. Though formed in [[primary identification]], the [[ideal ego]] continues to play a role as the source of all [[secondary identification]]s.<ref>{{E}} p. 2</ref>.  
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The [[ideal ego]] always accompanies the [[ego]], as an ever-[[present]] attempt to regain the omnipotence of the [[preoedipal]] [[dual relation]]. Though formed in [[primary identification]], the [[ideal ego]] continues to play a role as the source of all [[secondary identification]]s.<ref>{{E}} p. 2</ref>.  
  
 
==Lacanian Algebra==
 
==Lacanian Algebra==

Revision as of 23:26, 23 May 2019

French: idéal du moi

Sigmund Freud

Ego-Ideal, Ideal Ego and Superego

In Freud's writings, it is difficult to discern any systematic distinction between the three related terms "ego-ideal" (Ich-ideal), "ideal ego" (Ideal Ich), and superego (Über-Ich), although neither are the terms simply used interchangeably.

Jacques Lacan

Lacan, however, argues that these three "formations of the ego" are each quite distinct concepts which must not be confused with one another.

Ego-Ideal and Superego

In his pre-war writings Lacan is mainly concerned to establish a distinction between the ego-ideal and the superego, and does not refer to the ideal ego.

Identification with the Father

Although both the ego-ideal and the superego are linked with the decline of the Oedipus complex, and both are products of identification with the father, Lacan argues that they represent different aspects of the father's dual role.

Repression and Sublimation

The superego is an unconscious agency whose function is to repress sexual desire for the mother, whereas the ego-ideal exerts a conscious pressure towards sublimation and provides the coordinates which enable the subject to take up a sexual position as a man or woman.[1]

Ego-Ideal and the Ideal Ego

In his post-war writings Lacan pays more attention to distinguishing the ego-ideal from the ideal ego (Fr. moi idéal). Thus in the 1953-4 seminar, he develops the optical model to distinguish between these two formations.

Introjection and Projection

He argues that the ego-ideal is a symbolic introjection, whereas the ideal ego is the source of an imaginary projection.[2]

Symbolic

The ego-ideal is the signifier operating as ideal, an internalized plan of the law, the guide governing the subject's position in the symbolic order, and hence anticipates secondary (Oedipal) identification or is a product of that identification.[3]

Imaginary

The ideal ego, on the other hand, originates in the specular image of the mirror stage; it is a promise of future synthesis towards which the ego tends, the illusion of unity on which the ego is built.

The ideal ego always accompanies the ego, as an ever-present attempt to regain the omnipotence of the preoedipal dual relation. Though formed in primary identification, the ideal ego continues to play a role as the source of all secondary identifications.[4].

Lacanian Algebra

The ideal ego is written i(a) in Lacanian algebra, and the ego ideal is written I(A).

See Also

References

  1. Lacan, Jacques. Les complexes familiaux dans la formation de l'individu. Essai d'analyse d'une fonction en psychologie, Paris: Navarin, 1984. p. 59-62
  2. Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre VIII. Le transfert, 1960-61. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 414
  3. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 141
  4. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 2