Changes

=====Jacques Lacan=====[[Lacan]]'s use of the term "[[imaginary]]" as a substantive dates back to 1936.<ref>{{Ec}} p. 81</reref>

It is important to note, however, that while the [[imaginary ]] always retains connotations of [[illusion ]] and [[lure]], it is not simply synonymous with '"the illusory' " insofar as the latter term implies something unnecessary and inconsequential (.<ref>{{Ec, }} p. 723). </ref>

The [[imaginary ]] is far from inconsequential; it has powerful effects in the [[real]], and is not simply something that can be dispensed with or '"overcome'".

From 1953 on, =====Ego Formation=====The basis of the [[imaginary|imaginary becomes one of order]] continues to be the three ORDERS which constitute the tripartite scheme at the centre formation of Lacanian thought, being opposed to the symbolic and [[ego]] in the real[[mirror stage]].

The basis =====Identification=====Since the [[ego]] is formed by [[identifying]] with the [[counterpart]] or [[specular image]], [[identification]] is an important aspect of the [[imaginary|imaginary order continues to be the formation of the ego in the MIRROR STAGE]].

Since the ego is formed by identifying with the counterpart or specular image, IDENTIFICATION is an important aspect of the imaginary order. The [[ego ]] and the [[counterpart ]] form the prototypical [[dual relationshiprelation]]ship, and are interchangeable.

=====Alienation=====This relation­ship whereby the [[ego ]] is constituted by [[identification ]] with the [[other|little other ]] means that the [[ego]], and the [[imaginary|imaginary order ]] itself, are both sites of a radical ALIENATION[[alienation]]; 'alienation is constitutive of the imaginary order' (S3, 146).

The dual relationship between the ego and the counterpart is fundamentally narcissistic, and NARCISSISM <blockquote>"Alienation is another characteristic constitutive of the imaginary order. "<ref>{{S3}} p. 146</ref></blockquote>

=====Narcissism =====The [[dual relation]]ship between the [[ego]] and the [[counterpart]] is always accompanied by a certain AGGRESSIVITYfundamentally [[narcissistic]], and [[narcissism]] is another characteristic of the [[imaginary|imaginary order]].

The imaginary [[Narcissism]] is the realm of image and imagination, deception and lurealways accompanied by a certain [[aggressivity]].

=====Deception=====The principal illusions of [[imaginary]] is the imaginary are those realm of wholeness, synthesis, autonomyimage and imagination, duality [[truth|deception]] and, above all, similarity[[lure]].

The principal illusions of the [[imaginary is thus the order ]] are those of surface appearances which are deceptive[[gestalt|wholeness]], [[dialectic|synthesis]], [[autonomous ego|autonomy]], [[dual relation|duality]] and, above all, observable phenomena which hide underlying structure; the affects are such phenomena[[counterpart|similarity]].

However, the opposition between the =====Structure=====The [[imaginary and ]] is thus the symbolic does not mean that [[order]] of surface appearances which are deceptive, observable phenomena which hide underlying [[structure]]; the imaginary is lacking in structure[[affect]]s are such phenomena.

On However, the contrary, opposition between the [[imaginary is always already structured by ]] and the [[symbolic order]] does not mean that the [[imaginary]] is lacking in [[structure]].

For example in his ussion of On the mirror stage in 1949contrary, Lacan speaks of the relations in ginary space, which imply a [[imaginary]] is always already [[structure]]d by the [[symbolic structuring of that space (E, I)order]].

expression 'imaginary matrix' also implies an imaginary which is struc­d by For example in his discussion of the symbolic (Ec[[mirror stage]] in 1949, 221), and in 1964 [[Lacan discusses how the visual I is structured by symbolic laws (Sll, 91-2). ) he imaginary also involves a linguistic dimension. Whereas the signifier is foundation ]] speaks of the symbolic order, the SIGNIFIED and SIGNIFICATION are part of imaginary order. Thus language has both symbolic and relations in [[imaginary aspects; ts imaginary aspect]] space, language is the 'wall of language' which inverts and orts the discourse of the Other (see SCHEMA L). he imaginary exerts imply a captivating power over the subject, founded in the ost hypnotic effect [[symbolic]] [[structure|structuring]] of the specular imagethat space. The imaginary is thus rooted in subject's relationship to his own body (or rather to the image of his body)<ref>{{E}} p. s captivating1</capturing power is both seductive (the imaginary is mani­ed above all on the sexual plane, in such forms as sexual display and lrtship rituals; Lacan, 1956b: 272) and disabling: it imprisons the subject in ~ries of static fixations (see CAPTATION). ref>

~he The expression "[[imaginary is the dimension of the human subject which is most closely ced to ethology and animal psychology (S3, 253). All attempts to explain nan subjectivity in terms of animal psychology are thus limited to the Iginary (see NATURE). Although the |imaginary represents the closest point ~ontact between human subjectivity and animal ethology (S2, 166), it is not Iply identical; the matrix]]" also implies an [[imaginary order in human beings ]] which is structured [[structure­]]d by the nbolic[[symbolic]], <ref>{{Ec}} p. 221</ref> and this means that 'in man, 1964 [[Lacan]] discusses how the imaginary relation has deviated )m the realm of naturevisual field is [[structure]]d by [[symbolic]] [[law]]' (S2, 210) s.<ref>{{S11}} p. 91-2</ref>

~acan =====Linguistic Dimension=====The [[imaginary]] also involves a [[linguistics|linguistic dimension]].  Whereas the [[signifier]] is foundation of the [[symbolic order]], the [[signified]] and [[signification]] are part of [[imaginary|imaginary order]].  Thus [[language]] has both [[symbolic]] and [[imaginary]] aspects; ts imaginary aspect, language is the 'wall of language' which inverts and orts the [[discourse]] of the [[Other]] =====Captation===== The [[imaginary]] exerts a [[captation|captivating power]] over the [[subject]], founded in the ost hypnotic effect of the [[specular image]].  The [[imaginary]] is thus rooted in [[subject]]'s relationship to his own body (or rather to the [[image]] of his body).  This [[captation|captivating/capturing power]] is both [[seductive]] (the [[imaginary]] is manifest­ed above all on the sexual plane, in such forms as sexual display and courtship rituals)<ref>{{L}} 1956b: 272) and disabling: it imprisons the [[subject]] in series of static fixations.  =====Nature===== The [[imaginary]] is the dimension of the [[human]] [[subject]] which is most closely linked to ethology and animal psychology.<ref>{{S3}} p. 253</ref> All attempts to explain [[human]] [[subjectivity]] in terms of animal psychology are thus limited to the [[imaginary]].  Although the [[imaginary]] represents the closest point of contact between [[human]] [[subjectivity]] and animal ethology,<ref>{{S2}} p. 166</ref> it is not simply identical; the [[imaginary|imaginary order]] in [[human]] [[being]]s is [[structure]]d by the [[symbolic]], and this means that "in man, the imaginary relation has deviated [from the realm of nature]."<ref>{{S2}} p. 210</ref> =====Imagination===== [[Lacan]] has a Cartesian mistrust of the [[imaginary|imagination ]] as a cognitive tool.  He istsinsists, like Descartes, on the supremacy of pure intellection, without depen­lce depen­dence on images, as the only way of arriving at certain [[knowledge]].  It is this It that lies behind Lacan's use of [[topology|topological figures]], which cannot be repre­lted represented in the [[imaginary|imagination]], to explore the [[structure ]] of the [[unconscious (see 'OLOGY)]].  This mistrust of the [[imaginary|imagination ]] and the senses puts [[Lacan ]] firmly the side of [[science|rationalism ]] rather than [[science|empiricism (see SCIENCE)]].