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.
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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.
  
 
==Sigmund Freud==
 
==Sigmund Freud==
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[[Freud]] often employs metaphors from the [[science]] of hydraulics to describe [[libido]].
 
[[Freud]] often employs metaphors from the [[science]] of hydraulics to describe [[libido]].
  
[[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as an "economic" concept.
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[[Freud]] conceives of the [[libido]] as an "[[economic]]" [[concept]].
  
It is said to be quantifiable, plastic and adhesive, and can be attached to or withdrawn from [[object]]s thanks to the mechanism of [[cathexis]].
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It is said to be quantifiable, plastic and adhesive, and can be attached to or withdrawn from [[object]]s thanks to the [[mechanism]] of [[cathexis]].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 is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. [[SE]] XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref>
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It is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be [[displaced]].<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. [[SE]] XVIII. 1921c. p.90.</ref>
  
 
It can be desexualized or used in [[sublimation]].
 
It can be desexualized or used in [[sublimation]].
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===Sexual Desire===
 
===Sexual Desire===
  
[[Freud]] insisted on the sexual nature of this energy.
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[[Freud]] insisted on the sexual [[nature]] of this energy.
  
 
[[Libido]] is a specifically sexual energy.
 
[[Libido]] is a specifically sexual energy.
  
[[Libido]] is also described by [[Freud]] as being [[active]] and [[masculine]].
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[[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.
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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.
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[[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.
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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]]."
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[[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==
 
==Jacques Lacan==
  
[[Lacan]] uses the term "[[libido]]" very sparingly, and tends to discuss sexuality in terms of [[desire]] and ''[[jouissance]]''.
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[[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]]''.
 
In general [[Lacan]] does not use the term "[[libido]]" anywhere near as frequently as [[Freud]], preferring to reconceptualize sexual energy in terms of ''[[jouissance]]''.
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In the 1950s [[Lacan]] locates the [[libido]] in the [[imaginary order]].
 
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>
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<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>

Latest revision as of 00:54, 26 May 2019

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.

Freud conceives of the libido as an "economic" concept.

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 is an energy which can increase or descrease, and which can be displaced.[1]

It can be desexualized or used in sublimation.

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