Difference between revisions of "Libido"

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In [[psychoanalysis]], the term "[[libido]]" is used to describe a mental -- psychic and emotional -- energy associated with [[instinct]]ual [[biology|biological]] [[drive]]s.
 
In [[psychoanalysis]], the term "[[libido]]" is used to describe a mental -- psychic and emotional -- energy associated with [[instinct]]ual [[biology|biological]] [[drive]]s.
  
 +
==Sigmund Freud==
  
===Sexual Desire===
+
The term "[[libido]]" was introduced into [[psychoanalytic theory]] by [[Freud]].
From the Latin word for "desire" or "lust," [[libido]] is a specifically sexual energy.
 
  
A distinction is made by Freud between the sexual or libidinal drives and the self-preservation or ego drives.
+
[[Freud]] often employs metaphors from the [[science]] of hydraulics to describe [[libido]].
  
One of the major soruces of the disagreement between Freud and Jung is the later's tendency to desexualize the concept of libido and to dissolve it into a more general category of mental energy.
+
It is said to be quantifiable, plastic and adhesive, and can be attached to or withdrawn from [[object]]s thanks to the mechanism of [[cathexis]].
  
 +
It can be desexualized or used in [[sublimation]].
  
==Sigmund Freud==
+
[[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref>
  
The term "[[libido]]" was introduced into [[psychoanalytic theory]] by [[Freud]].
 
  
Freud often employs metaphors from the science of hydraulics to describe libido.
+
===Sexual Desire===
  
It is said to be quantifiable, plastic and adhesive, and cna be attached to or withdrawn from objects thanks to the mechanism of [[cathexis]].
+
[[Freud]] insisted on the sexual nature of this energy.
  
It can be desexualized or used in [[sublimation]].
+
[[Libido]] is a specifically sexual energy.
  
 +
[[Libido]] is also described by Freud as being active and masculine.
  
[[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref>
+
Throughout his work, [[Freud]] maintained a dualism in which the [[libido]] is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy.
  
[[Freud]] insisted on the [[sexual]] nature of this energy, and throughout his [[Works of Sigmund Freud|work]] he maintained a dualism in which the [[libido]] is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy.
+
[[Freud]] made a distinction between the sexual or libidinal drives and the self-preservation of ego drives.
  
 
===Carl Jung===
 
===Carl Jung===
 +
One of the major sources of the disagreement between [[Freud]] and [[Jung]] is the later's tendency to desexualize the concept of [[libido]] and to dissolve it into a more general category of mental energy.
 +
 
[[Jung]] opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "[[libido]]."
 
[[Jung]] opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "[[libido]]."
  
Line 31: Line 34:
  
 
[[Lacan]] uses the term 'libido' very sparingly, and tends to discuss sexuality in terms of [[desire]] and ''[[jouissance]]''.
 
[[Lacan]] uses the term 'libido' very sparingly, and tends to discuss sexuality in terms of [[desire]] and ''[[jouissance]]''.
 +
 +
In general [[Lacan]] does not use the term "[[libido]]" anywhere near as frequently as [[Freud]], preferring to reconceptualize sexual energy in terms of ''[[jouissance]]''.
  
 
[[Lacan]] rejects [[Jung]]'s monism and reaffirms [[Freud]]'s dualism.<ref>{{S1}} p.119-20</ref>
 
[[Lacan]] rejects [[Jung]]'s monism and reaffirms [[Freud]]'s dualism.<ref>{{S1}} p.119-20</ref>
Line 37: Line 42:
  
 
[[Lacan]] also follows [[Freud]] in affirming that the [[libido]] is exclusively [[masculine]].<ref>{{E}} p.291</ref>
 
[[Lacan]] also follows [[Freud]] in affirming that the [[libido]] is exclusively [[masculine]].<ref>{{E}} p.291</ref>
 +
 +
===Imaginary and the Real===
 +
 +
In the 1950s [[Lacan]] locates the [[libido]] in the [[imaginary order]].
  
 
<blockquote>"Libido and the ego are on the same side.  Narcissism is libidinal."<ref>{{S2}} p.326</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>"Libido and the ego are on the same side.  Narcissism is libidinal."<ref>{{S2}} p.326</ref></blockquote>
  
 
From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the [[libido]] more with the [[real]].<ref>{{Ec}} p.848-9</ref>
 
From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the [[libido]] more with the [[real]].<ref>{{Ec}} p.848-9</ref>
 
However, in general [[Lacan]] does not use the term "[[libido]]" anywhere near as frequently as [[Freud]], preferring to reconceptualize sexual energy in terms of ''[[jouissance]]''.
 
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
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[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 
[[Category:Dictionary]]
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
+
[[Category:Sexuality]]
 +
[[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 
[[Category:Sexuality]]
 

Revision as of 18:30, 4 August 2006

In psychoanalysis, the term "libido" is used to describe a mental -- psychic and emotional -- energy associated with instinctual biological drives.

Sigmund Freud

The term "libido" was introduced into psychoanalytic theory by Freud.

Freud often employs metaphors from the science of hydraulics to describe libido.

It is said to be quantifiable, plastic and adhesive, and can be attached to or withdrawn from objects thanks to the mechanism of cathexis.

It can be desexualized or used in sublimation.

Freud conceives of the libido as a quantitative (or "economic") concept: it is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.[1]


Sexual Desire

Freud insisted on the sexual nature of this energy.

Libido is a specifically sexual energy.

Libido is also described by Freud as being active and masculine.

Throughout his work, Freud maintained a dualism in which the libido is opposed to another (non-sexual) form of energy.

Freud made a distinction between the sexual or libidinal drives and the self-preservation of ego drives.

Carl Jung

One of the major sources of the disagreement between Freud and Jung is the later's tendency to desexualize the concept of libido and to dissolve it into a more general category of mental energy.

Jung opposed this dualism, positing a single form of life-energy which is neutral in character, and proposed that this energy be denoted by the term "libido."

Jacques Lacan

Lacan uses the term 'libido' very sparingly, and tends to discuss sexuality in terms of desire and jouissance.

In general Lacan does not use the term "libido" anywhere near as frequently as Freud, preferring to reconceptualize sexual energy in terms of jouissance.

Lacan rejects Jung's monism and reaffirms Freud's dualism.[2]

He argues, with Freud, that the libido is exclusively sexual.

Lacan also follows Freud in affirming that the libido is exclusively masculine.[3]

Imaginary and the Real

In the 1950s Lacan locates the libido in the imaginary order.

"Libido and the ego are on the same side. Narcissism is libidinal."[4]

From 1964 on, however, there is a shift to articulating the libido more with the real.[5]

See Also

References

  1. Freud, Sigmund. SE XVIII. 1921c. p.90.
  2. 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.119-20
  3. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.291
  4. 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.326
  5. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.848-9