Difference between revisions of "Instinct"
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==Jacques Lacan== | ==Jacques Lacan== | ||
===Instinct and Drive=== | ===Instinct and Drive=== | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud]] in distinguishing the [[instinct]]s from the [[drive]]s, and criticizing those who obscure this distinction by using the same English word ("[[instinct]]") to translate both [[Freud]]'s terms (''[[Instinkt]]'' and ''[[Trieb]]'').<ref>{{E}} p. 301</ref> "[[Instinct]]" is a purely ''[[biological]]'' concept and belongs to the study of [[animal]] [[ethology]]. Whereas [[animal]]s are driven by [[instincts]], which are relatively rigid and invariable, and imply a direct relation to an [[object]], [[human]] [[sexuality]] is a matter of [[drives]], which are very variable and never attain their [[object]]. Although [[Lacan]] uses the term "[[instinct]]" frequently in his early work, after 1950 he uses the word less frequently, preferring instead to reconceptualize the concept of [[instinct]] in terms of [[need]]. | + | [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud]] in distinguishing the [[instinct]]s from the [[drive]]s, and criticizing those who obscure this [[distinction]] by using the same [[English]] [[word]] ("[[instinct]]") to translate both [[Freud]]'s [[terms]] (''[[Instinkt]]'' and ''[[Trieb]]'').<ref>{{E}} p. 301</ref> "[[Instinct]]" is a purely ''[[biological]]'' [[concept]] and belongs to the study of [[animal]] [[ethology]]. Whereas [[animal]]s are driven by [[instincts]], which are relatively rigid and invariable, and imply a direct relation to an [[object]], [[human]] [[sexuality]] is a matter of [[drives]], which are very variable and never attain their [[object]]. Although [[Lacan]] uses the term "[[instinct]]" frequently in his early [[work]], after 1950 he uses the word less frequently, preferring instead to reconceptualize the concept of [[instinct]] in terms of [[need]]. |
===Biology and Social and Cultural Factors=== | ===Biology and Social and Cultural Factors=== | ||
| − | From his earliest works, [[Lacan]] criticizes those who attempt to understand human behavior purely in terms of [[instinct]]s, arguing that this is to suppose a harmonious relation between man and the world, which does not in fact exist.<ref>{{Ec}} p. 88</ref> The concept of [[instinct]] supposes some kind of direct innate [[knowledge]] of the [[object]] which is of an almost moral character.<ref>{{Ec}} p. 851</ref> | + | From his earliest works, [[Lacan]] criticizes those who attempt to [[understand]] human [[behavior]] purely in terms of [[instinct]]s, arguing that this is to suppose a [[harmonious]] relation between man and the [[world]], which does not in fact [[exist]].<ref>{{Ec}} p. 88</ref> The concept of [[instinct]] supposes some kind of direct innate [[knowledge]] of the [[object]] which is of an almost [[moral]] [[character]].<ref>{{Ec}} p. 851</ref> |
| − | Against such ideas, [[Lacan]] insists that there is something inadequate about [[human]] [[biology]], a feature which he indicates in the phrases "vital insufficiency" (''insuffisance vitale'').<ref>{{Ec}} p.90</ref> and "congenital insufficiency". This inadequacy, evident in the [[helplessness]] of the [[human]] [[infant|baby]], is compensated for by means of [[complexes]]. The fact that [[human]] [[psychology]] is dominated by [[complex]]es (which are determined entirely by cultural and social factors) rather than by [[instinct]]s, means that any explanation of human behavior that does not take social factors into account is useless. | + | Against such [[ideas]], [[Lacan]] insists that there is something inadequate [[about]] [[human]] [[biology]], a feature which he indicates in the phrases "vital insufficiency" (''insuffisance vitale'').<ref>{{Ec}} p.90</ref> and "congenital insufficiency". This inadequacy, evident in the [[helplessness]] of the [[human]] [[infant|baby]], is compensated for by means of [[complexes]]. The fact that [[human]] [[psychology]] is dominated by [[complex]]es (which are determined entirely by [[cultural]] and [[social]] factors) rather than by [[instinct]]s, means that any explanation of human behavior that does not take social factors into account is useless. |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Latest revision as of 00:36, 25 May 2019
| French: instinct |
Jacques Lacan
Instinct and Drive
Lacan follows Freud in distinguishing the instincts from the drives, and criticizing those who obscure this distinction by using the same English word ("instinct") to translate both Freud's terms (Instinkt and Trieb).[1] "Instinct" is a purely biological concept and belongs to the study of animal ethology. Whereas animals are driven by instincts, which are relatively rigid and invariable, and imply a direct relation to an object, human sexuality is a matter of drives, which are very variable and never attain their object. Although Lacan uses the term "instinct" frequently in his early work, after 1950 he uses the word less frequently, preferring instead to reconceptualize the concept of instinct in terms of need.
Biology and Social and Cultural Factors
From his earliest works, Lacan criticizes those who attempt to understand human behavior purely in terms of instincts, arguing that this is to suppose a harmonious relation between man and the world, which does not in fact exist.[2] The concept of instinct supposes some kind of direct innate knowledge of the object which is of an almost moral character.[3]
Against such ideas, Lacan insists that there is something inadequate about human biology, a feature which he indicates in the phrases "vital insufficiency" (insuffisance vitale).[4] and "congenital insufficiency". This inadequacy, evident in the helplessness of the human baby, is compensated for by means of complexes. The fact that human psychology is dominated by complexes (which are determined entirely by cultural and social factors) rather than by instincts, means that any explanation of human behavior that does not take social factors into account is useless.
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 301
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 88
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 851
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.90
