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{{Top}}père{{Bottom}}[[Image:Kida_f.gif|right|frame|[[Kid A In Alphabet Land]]]]==Jacques Lacan=====History===From very early on in his [[Works of Jacques Lacan|work]], [[Lacan]] lays great importance on the [[role]] of the [[father (pËre) ]] in [[psychic structure]]. In his 1938 [[article on the family]], he attributes the importance of the [[Oedipus complex]] to the fact that it combines in the [[figure]] of the [[father]] two almost conflicting functions: the ''protective function'' and the ''prohibitive function''. He also points to the contemporary social decline in the [[paternal metaphor|paternal]] [[imago]] as the [[cause]] of current [[treatment|psychopathological]] peculiarities.<ref>{{1938}} p. 73</ref> The [[father]] continues to be a constant theme of [[Lacan]]'s [[work]] thereafter.

From very early on in his work, ===Father as Third Term===[[Lacan lays great importance ]]'s emphasis on the role importance of the [[father in psychic structure]] can be seen as a reaction against the tendency of [[Kleinian psychoanalysis]] and [[object-relations theory]] to [[place]] the [[mother]]-[[child]] [[dual relation|relation]] at the heart of [[psychoanalytic theory]]. In his 1938 article on the familyopposition to this tendency, he attributes [[Lacan]] continually stresses the importance role of the OEDIPUS COMPLEX to [[father]] as a [[third]] term who, by mediating the [[imaginary]] [[dual relation]] between the fact that it combines in [[mother]] and the figure of [[child]], saves the [[child]] from [[psychosis]] and makes possible an entry into [[social]] [[existence]]. The [[father two almost conflicting functions: ]] is thus more than a mere rival with whom the protective function and [[subject]] competes for for the [[mother]]'s [[love]]; he is the prohibitive function. He also points to [[representative]] of the contemporary social decline in order as such, and only by [[identifying]] with the paternal imago (clearly visible [[father]] in the images of absent fathers and humiliated fathers) as [[Oedipus complex]] can the cause of current psychopathological peculiarities (Lacan, 1938: 73)[[subject]] gain entry into this [[order]]. The [[absence]] of the [[father continues to be a constant theme ]] is therefore an important factor in the aetiology of Lacan's work thereafterall [[treatment|psychopathological]] [[structures]].

Lacan's emphasis on the importance of ===Symbolic, Imaginary and Real===However, the [[father can be seen as ]] is not a reaction against simple [[concept]] but a [[complex]] one, one which begs the tendency question of Kleinian psychoanalysis and object-relations theory to place what exactly is meant by the mother-child relation at the heart of psychoanalytic theoryterm "[[father]]. In opposition " It is in order to answer this tendencyquestion that, from 1953 on, [[Lacan continually ]] stresses the role importance of distinguishing between the [[symbolic]] [[father as a third term who]], by mediating the [[imaginary DUAL RELATION between the MOTHER ]] [[father]] and the child, saves [[real]] [[father]].<!-- [[Lacan]] argues that the child from psychosis and makes possible an entry into social existence. The father question "What is thus more than a mere rival with whom father?" forms the subject competes for the mothercentral theme which runs throughout [[Freud]]'s love; he is the representative of the social order as such, and only by identifying with the father in the Oedipus complex can the subject gain entry into this orderentire work. The absence of the father is therefore an important factor in the aetiology of all psychopathological structures<ref>{{S4}} p.204-5</ref> -->

However, the ==The Symbolic Father==The [[symbolic]] [[father ]] is not a simple concept [[real]] [[being]] but a complex one[[position]], a function, one which begs the question of what exactly and hence is meant by synonymous with the term 'father'. Lacan argues that the question 'What is a fatherT forms "[[Name-of-the central theme which runs throughout Freud's entire work (S4, 204-5)Father|paternal function]]. It " This function is in order to answer this question none [[other]] than that, from 1953 on, Lacan stresses of imposing the importance of distinguishing between [[law]] and regulating [[desire]] in the symbolic father[[Oedipus complex]], of intervening in the [[imaginary father, ]] [[dual relation]]ship between [[mother]] and the real father:[[child]] to introduce a necessary "[[symbolic|symbolic distance]]" between [[them]].<ref>{{S4}} p.161</ref>

== The symbolic father ==The symbolic father is not a real being but a position, a function, and hence is synonymous with the term 'paternal function'. This function is none other than that of imposing the LAW and regulating desire in the Oedipus complex, of intervening in the imaginary dual relationship between mother and child to introduce a necessary 'symbolic distance' between them (S4, 161). '<blockquote>"The [[true ]] function of the Father . . . is fundamentally to unite (and not to set in opposition) a desire and the Law' (."<ref>{{E, }} p.321). </ref></blockquote><!-- Although the [[symbolic ]] [[father ]] is not an actual [[subject ]] but a position in the [[symbolic order]], a [[subject ]] may nevertheless come to occupy this position, by virtue of exercising the [[paternal function]]. Nobody can ever occupy this position completely (.<ref>{{S4, }} p.205, 210, 219). </ref> However, the [[symbolic ]] [[father ]] does not usually intervene by virtue of someone incarnating this function, but in a veiled fashion, for example by being mediated by the [[discourse ]] of the [[mother (see S4, 276)]].-->

The [[symbolic ]] [[father ]] is the fundamental element in the [[structure ]] of the [[symbolic order]]; what distinguishes the [[symbolic order ]] of [[culture ]] from the [[imaginary order ]] of [[nature ]] is the inscription of a line of [[male ]] descendence. The [[symbolic]] [[father]] is also referred to as the [[Name-of-the-Father]]. By [[structuring ]] descendence into a series of generations, patrilineality introduces an [[order ']] "whose structure is different from the [[natural ]] order' (."<ref>{{S3, }} p. 320). </ref> The [[symbolic ]] [[father ]] is also the [[dead ]] [[father]], the [[father ]] of the [[primal horde ]] who has been murdered by his own sons (see Freud, 1912. It is the [[absence]] of the [[symbolic]] [[father]] which characterizes the [[essence]] of the [[psychotic]] [[structure]].<!--13). The [[presence]] of the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]] as a third term in the [[preoedipal phase|preoedipal]] [[imaginary|imaginary triangle]] indicates that the [[symbolic ]] [[father ]] is already functioning at the [[preoedipal phase|preoedipal stage]]; behind the [[symbolic]] [[mother]], there is also referred to as always the NAME[[symbolic]] [[father]]. -OF-THE-FATHER (Sl, 259).>

==The presence Imaginary Father==The [[imaginary]] [[father]] is an [[imago]], the composite of all the [[imaginary phallus as a third term ]] constructs that the [[subject]] builds up in [[fantasy]] around the figure of the preoedipal [[father]]. This [[imaginary triangle indicates that ]] [[construction]] often bears little [[relationship]] to the symbolic [[father ]] as he is already functioning at in [[reality]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 220</ref> The [[imaginary]] [[father]] can be construed as an ideal [[father]],<ref>{{S1}} p.156</ref><ref>{{E}} p.321</ref> or the opposite, as "the father who has fucked the preoedipal stage; behind kid up."<ref>{{S7}} p.308</ref><!-- In the symbolic motherformer guise, there the [[imaginary]] [[father]] is always the symbolic fatherprototype of [[God]]-[[figures]] in [[religion]]s, an all-powerful protector. The psychotic In the latter role, howeverthe [[imaginary]] [[father]] is both the terrifying father of the [[primal horde]] who imposes the [[incest]] [[taboo]] on his sons, does not even get this far; indeed<ref>[[Freud]] 1912-3</ref> and the [[agent]] of [[privation]], it is the absence [[father]] whom the daughter blames for depriving her of the [[symbolic ]] [[phallus]], or its equivalent, a [[child]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 98</ref> In both guises, though, whether as the [[ideal]] [[father which characterises ]] or as the essence [[father|cruel]] [[father|agent]] of [[privation]], the psychotic structure (see FORECLOSURE)[[imaginary]] [[father]] is seen as omnipotent.<ref>{{S4}} pp. 275-6</ref> -->[[Psychosis]] and [[perversion]] both involve, in different ways, a reduction of the [[father|symbolic father]] to the [[father|imaginary father]].

==[[The imaginary father Real]] Father== ===Agent of Castration===The imaginary father While [[Lacan]] is an imago, the composite of all quite clear in defining what he means by the [[father|imaginary constructs that father]] and the subject builds up in fantasy around the figure of [[father|symbolic father]], his remarks on the [[father|real father]] are quite obscure. This imaginary construction often bears little relationship to the father as he is in reality (<ref>{{S4, }} p. 220). The imaginary </ref> [[Lacan]]'s only unequivocal formulation is that the [[father can be construed as an ideal |real father (Sl, 156; E, 321), or ]] is the oppositeagent of [[castration]], as 'the father one who has fucked performs the kid up' (operation of [[symbolic]] [[castration]].<ref>{{S17}} p. 149</ref><ref> {{S7}} p. 307</ref> <!-- ===Biological Father=== Apart from this, 308)[[Lacan]] gives few other clues [[about]] what he means by the phrase. In the former guise1960, he describes the imaginary [[father|real father is ]] as the one who 'effectively occupies' the [[mother]], the prototype of God-figures in religions"Great Fucker", an all-powerful protector<ref>{{S7}} p. In the latter role307</ref> and even goes on to say, in 1970, that the imaginary [[father|real father ]] is both the terrifying father spermatozoon, though he immediately qualifies this [[statement]] with the remark that nobody has ever [[thought]] of himself as the primal horde who imposes the incest taboo on his sons (see Freud, 1912-13), and son of a spermatozoon.<ref>{{S17}} p.148</ref> On the agent basis of PRIVATIONthese comments, it seems possible to argue that the [[father|real father whom ]] is the daughter blames for depriving her [[biological]] [[father]] of the symbolic phallus, or its equivalent[[subject]]. However, since a child degree of uncertainty always surrounds the question of who the [[biological]] [[father]] really is (S4'"pater semper incertus est", 98while the [[mother]] is "certissima"'; see Figure 7 and S7, 307)<ref>{{F}} 1909c. In both guises[[SE]] IX, though, whether as 239<ref> it would be more precise to say that the ideal [[subject|real father or as ]] is the cruel agent of privation, man who is said to be the imaginary [[subject]]'s [[biological]] [[father]]. The [[father|real father ]] is seen as omnipotent (S4thus an effect of [[language]], 275-6). Psychosis and perversion both involve, it is in different ways, a reduction of this [[sense]] that the symbolic father adjective [[real]] is to be [[understood]] here: the [[real]] of [[language]], rather than the imaginary father[[real]] of [[biology]].<ref>{{S17}} p.147-8</ref> -->

e The real father While Lacan is quite clear in defining what he means by the imaginary father and the symbolic father, his remarks on the real father are quite obscure (see, for example, S4, 220). Lacan's only unequivocal formulation is that the real father is the agent of castration, the one who performs the operation of symbolic castration (Sl7, 149; see Figure 7 and S7, 307). Apart from this, Lacan gives few other clues about what he means by the phrase. In 1960, he describes the real father as the one who 'effectively occupies' the mother, the 'Great Fucker' (S7, 307), and even goes on to say, in 1970, that the real father is the spermatozoon, though he immediately qualifies this statement with the remark that nobody has ever thought of himself as the son of a spermatozoon (Sl7, 148). On the basis of these comments, it seems possible to argue that the real father is the biological father of the subject. However, since a degree of uncertainty always surrounds the question of who the biological father really is ('"pater semper incertus est", while the mother is "certissima"'; Freud, 1909c: SE IX, 239), it would be more precise to say that the real father is the man who is said to be the subject's biological father. The real father is thus an effect of language, and it is in this sense that the adjective real is to be understood here: the real of language, rather than the real of biology (Sl7, 147<!--8).The real father plays a crucial role in the Oedipus complex; it is he who intervenes in the third 'time' intervention of the Oedipus complex as the one who castrates the child (see CASTRATION COMPLEx). This intervention saves the child from the preceding anxiety; without it, the child requires a phobic object as a symbolic substitute for the absent real [[father. The intervention of the |real father ]] as agent of [[castration ]] is not simply equivalent to his [[physical ]] presence in the [[family]]. As the [[case ]] of [[Little Hans ]] indicates (Freud, 1909b)<ref>{{F}} 1909c. [[SE]] IX, 239<ref> the [[father|real father ]] may be physically [[present ]] and yet fail to intervene as agent of [[castration (]].<ref>{{S4, }} p. 212, 221). </ref> Conversely, the intervention of the [[father|real father ]] may well be felt by the [[child ]] even when the [[father ]] is physically [[absent]].-->

== See Also=={{See}}* [[Castration complex]]* [[Dual relation]]||* [[Foreclosure]]* [[Name-of-the-Father]]||* [[Phallus]]* [[Kid A In Alphabet LandSuperego]] =={{Also}}

[[Image==References==<div style="font-size:Kida_f.gif |right|frame]]11px" class="references-small">'''Kid A In Alphabet Land Fumigates Another Furious Foe - The Ferocious Father!'''<references/></div>

Is That Your Penis Or Your Anus? It's Your Phallus, 'Cause You're A Phallacy, You Philanderer! You Were Always Such A Mother-Fucker, But You Know That, Don't You? Dad, You're Dead!__NOTOC__ {{OK}}[[Category:Development]][[Category:Kid A In Alphabet LandSymbolic]]{{KIDA}}