Difference between revisions of "Ego-ideal"

From No Subject - Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Top}}idéal du moi{{Bottom}}
 
{{Top}}idéal du moi{{Bottom}}
  
--
+
==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]] (''[[Superego|Über-Ich]]''), although neither are the terms simply used interchangeably.  
 
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.  
  
Lacan, however, argues that these three 'formations of the ego' are each quite distinct concepts which must not be confused with one another.
+
==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.
  
--
+
==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]].
 
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.
 
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.
  
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 position as a [[man]] or [[woman]].<ref>{{L}} ''Les complexes familiaux dans la formation de l'individu. Essai d'analyse d'une fonction en psychologie'', Paris: Navarin, 1984. p.59-62</ref>
+
===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}} ''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==
 
In his post-war writings [[Lacan]] pays more attention to distinguishing the [[ego-ideal]] from the [[ideal ego]] ([[Fr]]. ''[[moi idéal]]'').  
 
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.  
+
Thus in the 1953-4 [[seminar]], he develops the [[optical model]] to distinguish between these two [[formation]]s.  
  
He argues that the [[ego-ideal]] is a [[symbolic]] [[introjection]], whereas the [[ideal ego]] is the source of an [[imaginary]] [[projection]].<ref>{{S8}} p.414)</ref>
+
===Introjection and Projection===
 +
He argues that the [[ego-ideal]] is a [[symbolic]] [[introjection]], whereas the [[ideal ego]] is the source of an [[imaginary]] [[projection]].<ref>{{S8}} p. 414</ref>
  
The [[ego-ideal]] is the [[signifier]] operating as ideal, an internalised 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; {{L}} 1957-8</ref>
+
===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>
  
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.
+
===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.
  
 
The [[ideal ego]] always accompanies the [[ego]], as an ever-present attempt to regain the omnipotence of the [[preoedipal]] [[dual relation]].  
 
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>.  
+
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>.  
  
The [[ideal ego]] is written '''<i>i(a)</i>''' in [[Lacan]]ian [[algebra]], and the [[ego ideal]] is written '''I(A)'''.
+
==Lacanian Algebra==
 +
The [[ideal ego]] is written '''<i>i(a)</i>''' in [[Lacan]]ian [[algebra]], and the [[ego-ideal]] is written '''I(A)'''.
  
 +
==See Also==
 +
{{See}}
 +
* [[Algebra]]
 +
* [[Desire]]
 +
* [[Dual relation]]
 +
||
 +
* [[Ego]]
 +
* [[Father]]
 +
* [[Identification]]
 +
||
 +
* [[Imaginary]]
 +
* [[Introjection]]
 +
* [[Optical model]]
 +
||
 +
* [[Projection]]
 +
* [[Repression]]
 +
* [[Subject]]
 +
||
 +
* [[Sublimation]]
 +
* [[Superego]]
 +
* [[Symbolic]]
 +
{{Also}}
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
Line 41: Line 71:
 
[[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 +
{{OK}}
 +
 +
__NOTOC__

Revision as of 15:20, 24 August 2006

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