Difference between revisions of "Gap"
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==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
| − | The [[French]] term ''[[gap|béance]]'' is an antiquated literary term which means a "large hole or opening." | + | The [[French]] term ''[[gap|béance]]'' is an antiquated [[literary]] term which means a "large [[hole]] or opening." |
| − | It is also a [[scientific]] term used in medicine to denote the opening of the larynx. | + | It is also a [[scientific]] term used in [[medicine]] to denote the opening of the larynx. |
==Jacques Lacan== | ==Jacques Lacan== | ||
| − | The term is used in several ways in [[Lacan]]'s work. | + | The term is used in several ways in [[Lacan]]'s [[work]]. |
In 1946, he speaks of an "interrogative gap" which opens up in [[madness]], when the [[subject]] is perplexed by the phenomenona which he experiences ([[hallucinations]], etc).<ref>{{Ec}} pp. 165-6</ref> | In 1946, he speaks of an "interrogative gap" which opens up in [[madness]], when the [[subject]] is perplexed by the phenomenona which he experiences ([[hallucinations]], etc).<ref>{{Ec}} pp. 165-6</ref> | ||
==Man and Nature== | ==Man and Nature== | ||
| − | In the early 1950s, the term comes to refer to the fundamental rupture between [[man]] and [[nature]], which is due to the fact that "in man, the imaginary relation has deviated, in so far as that is where the gap is produced whereby death makes itself felt."<ref>{{S2}} p. 210</ref> | + | In the early 1950s, the term comes to refer to the fundamental rupture between [[man]] and [[nature]], which is due to the fact that "in man, [[the imaginary]] relation has deviated, in so far as that is where the gap is produced whereby [[death]] makes itself felt."<ref>{{S2}} p. 210</ref> |
This [[gap]] between [[man]] and [[nature]] is evident in the [[mirror stage]]: | This [[gap]] between [[man]] and [[nature]] is evident in the [[mirror stage]]: | ||
| − | <blockquote>"One has to assume a certain biological gap in him [man], which I try to define when I talk to you about the mirror stage.... The human being has a special relation with his own image - a relation of gap, of alienating tension.<ref>{{S2}} p. 323</ref></blockquote> | + | <blockquote>"One has to assume a certain [[biological]] gap in him [man], which I try to define when I talk to you [[about]] the [[mirror]] [[stage]].... The [[human]] [[being]] has a special relation with his own [[image]] - a relation of gap, of [[alienating]] tension.<ref>{{S2}} p. 323</ref></blockquote> |
==Imaginary== | ==Imaginary== | ||
| − | The function of the [[imaginary]] is precisely to fill this [[gap]], thus covering over the [[subject]]'s [[division]] and presenting an [[imaginary]] sense of [[fragmented body|unity]] and [[lack|wholeness]]. | + | The function of the [[imaginary]] is precisely to fill this [[gap]], thus covering over the [[subject]]'s [[division]] and presenting an [[imaginary]] [[sense]] of [[fragmented body|unity]] and [[lack|wholeness]]. |
==Sexual Relationship== | ==Sexual Relationship== | ||
| − | In 1957 the term is used in the context of the relationship between the [[sex]]es; "in the relation between man and woman... a gap always remains open.<ref>{{S4}} p.374; {{S4}} p.408</ref> | + | In 1957 the term is used in the context of the [[relationship]] between the [[sex]]es; "in the relation between man and [[woman]]... a gap always remains open.<ref>{{S4}} p.374; {{S4}} p.408</ref> |
This anticipates [[Lacan]]'s later remarkes on the [[existence|non-existence]] of the [[sexual relationship]]. | This anticipates [[Lacan]]'s later remarkes on the [[existence|non-existence]] of the [[sexual relationship]]. | ||
==Split Subject== | ==Split Subject== | ||
| − | In 1964, [[Lacan]] argues that "the relation of the subject to the Other is entirely produced in a process of gap,"<ref>{{S11}} p. 206</ref> and states that the [[subject]] is constituted by a [[gap]], since the [[subject]] is essentially [[divided]]. | + | In 1964, [[Lacan]] argues that "the relation of the subject to the [[Other]] is entirely produced in a [[process]] of gap,"<ref>{{S11}} p. 206</ref> and states that the [[subject]] is constituted by a [[gap]], since the [[subject]] is essentially [[divided]]. |
| − | He also argues that the concept of [[causality]] is essentially problematic because there is always a mysterious, inexplicable [[gap]] betwen [[cause]] and effect.<ref>{{S11}} p.21-2</ref> | + | He also argues that the [[concept]] of [[causality]] is essentially problematic because there is always a mysterious, inexplicable [[gap]] betwen [[cause]] and effect.<ref>{{S11}} p.21-2</ref> |
=="Dehiscence"== | =="Dehiscence"== | ||
Latest revision as of 08:21, 24 May 2019
| French: béance |
Definition
The French term béance is an antiquated literary term which means a "large hole or opening."
It is also a scientific term used in medicine to denote the opening of the larynx.
Jacques Lacan
The term is used in several ways in Lacan's work.
In 1946, he speaks of an "interrogative gap" which opens up in madness, when the subject is perplexed by the phenomenona which he experiences (hallucinations, etc).[1]
Man and Nature
In the early 1950s, the term comes to refer to the fundamental rupture between man and nature, which is due to the fact that "in man, the imaginary relation has deviated, in so far as that is where the gap is produced whereby death makes itself felt."[2]
This gap between man and nature is evident in the mirror stage:
"One has to assume a certain biological gap in him [man], which I try to define when I talk to you about the mirror stage.... The human being has a special relation with his own image - a relation of gap, of alienating tension.[3]
Imaginary
The function of the imaginary is precisely to fill this gap, thus covering over the subject's division and presenting an imaginary sense of unity and wholeness.
Sexual Relationship
In 1957 the term is used in the context of the relationship between the sexes; "in the relation between man and woman... a gap always remains open.[4]
This anticipates Lacan's later remarkes on the non-existence of the sexual relationship.
Split Subject
In 1964, Lacan argues that "the relation of the subject to the Other is entirely produced in a process of gap,"[5] and states that the subject is constituted by a gap, since the subject is essentially divided.
He also argues that the concept of causality is essentially problematic because there is always a mysterious, inexplicable gap betwen cause and effect.[6]
"Dehiscence"
Lacan also uses the term "dehiscence" in a way that makes it practically synonymous, in his discourse, with the term "gap".
Dehiscence is a botanical term which designates the bursting open of mature seed-pots; Lacan uses the term to refer to the split which is constitutive of the subject: there is "a vital dehiscence that is constitutive of man."[7]
This split is also the division between culture and nature which means that man's relation to the latter "is altered by a certain dehiscence at the heart of the organism, a primordial Discord."[8]
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. pp. 165-6
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book II. The Ego in Freud's Theory and in the Technique of Psychoanalysis, 1954-55. Trans. Sylvana Tomaselli. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge Unviersity Press, 1988. p. 210
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book II. The Ego in Freud's Theory and in the Technique of Psychoanalysis, 1954-55. Trans. Sylvana Tomaselli. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge Unviersity Press, 1988. p. 323
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p.374; Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p.408
- ↑ 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. 206
- ↑ 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.21-2
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 21
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 4
