Difference between revisions of "Lost object"

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According to [[Sigmund Freud]], the [[loss]] of the [[object]] is a two-step process whereby the [[subject]] is constituted.  
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According to [[Sigmund Freud]], the [[loss]] of the [[object]] is a two-step [[process]] whereby the [[subject]] is constituted.  
  
 
First, the earliest [[partial object]], the [[breast]], is [[lost]].  
 
First, the earliest [[partial object]], the [[breast]], is [[lost]].  
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Then the primary [[love]] [[object]], the [[mother]], is likewise [[lost]].
 
Then the primary [[love]] [[object]], the [[mother]], is likewise [[lost]].
  
The earliest [[sexual]] [[object]] is the [[breast]], and the earliest source of [[satisfaction]] for the [[sexual]] [[instinct]] is the encounter between two [[partial object]]s, the [[infant]]'s [[mouth]] and the [[mother]]'s [[breast]].  
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The earliest [[sexual]] [[object]] is the [[breast]], and the earliest source of [[satisfaction]] for the [[sexual]] [[instinct]] is the [[encounter]] between two [[partial object]]s, the [[infant]]'s [[mouth]] and the [[mother]]'s [[breast]].  
  
In <i>[[Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality]]</i> (1905), [[Freud]] explained that the [[breast]] becomes a [[lost object]] "just at the time, perhaps, when the [[child]] is able to form a [[total]] [[idea]] of the person to whom the organ that is giving him [[satisfaction]] belongs."<ref>[[Freud, Sigmund]]. [[Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality]]. 1905. p. 222</ref>
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In <i>[[Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality]]</i> (1905), [[Freud]] explained that the [[breast]] becomes a [[lost object]] "just at the [[time]], perhaps, when the [[child]] is able to [[form]] a [[total]] [[idea]] of the person to whom the [[organ]] that is giving him [[satisfaction]] belongs."<ref>[[Freud, Sigmund]]. [[Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality]]. 1905. p. 222</ref>
  
 
[[Loss]] of the [[object]] of the [[oral]] [[instinct]] is thus a precondition of access to the [[total]] person as a possible [[love]] [[object]].  
 
[[Loss]] of the [[object]] of the [[oral]] [[instinct]] is thus a precondition of access to the [[total]] person as a possible [[love]] [[object]].  
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At the same time, however, this [[loss]] opens the door to [[autoeroticism]] for the [[infant]] as the [[infant]] assumes a [[complete]] [[body]] [[image]].  
 
At the same time, however, this [[loss]] opens the door to [[autoeroticism]] for the [[infant]] as the [[infant]] assumes a [[complete]] [[body]] [[image]].  
  
The [[infant]], though in a [[passive]] [[position]], is [[active]] with regard to a part of its own [[body]], and this enables the [[infant]] to find a [[source]] of [[satisfaction]] that is the first [[substitute]] for the [[breast]].
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The [[infant]], though in a [[passive]] [[position]], is [[active]] with [[regard]] to a part of its own [[body]], and this enables the [[infant]] to find a [[source]] of [[satisfaction]] that is the first [[substitute]] for the [[breast]].
  
 
Later the [[lost object]] becomes the "[[whole]] person" in the context of the "[[Fort/Da]]" [[game]] described by [[Freud]] in <i>[[Beyond the Pleasure Principle]]</i> (1920).  
 
Later the [[lost object]] becomes the "[[whole]] person" in the context of the "[[Fort/Da]]" [[game]] described by [[Freud]] in <i>[[Beyond the Pleasure Principle]]</i> (1920).  
  
 
Here [[separation]] from the [[object]] is addressed in two ways:  
 
Here [[separation]] from the [[object]] is addressed in two ways:  
# either the [[child]] expresses an impulse to [[master]] the [[object]] by breaking it, casting it aside, or incorporating it in [[fantasy]] (and so working it over in the [[psyche]]), or  
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# either the [[child]] expresses an impulse to [[master]] the [[object]] by breaking it, casting it aside, or incorporating it in [[fantasy]] (and so [[working]] it over in the [[psyche]]), or  
 
# the [[child]] bypasses the [[need]] for the [[object]] by regarding it as a [[lost object]] beyond the reach of the [[self]].  
 
# the [[child]] bypasses the [[need]] for the [[object]] by regarding it as a [[lost object]] beyond the reach of the [[self]].  
With the recognition of the [[absence]] of the [[object]], therefore, the [[child]] makes a transition, as a result of working over in the [[psyche]], to a capacity to do without the [[object]].
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With the [[recognition]] of the [[absence]] of the [[object]], therefore, the [[child]] makes a transition, as a result of working over in the [[psyche]], to a capacity to do without the [[object]].
  
 
When the [[subject]] does not recognize the [[object]] as [[lost]], as in [[melancholia]], the [[object]] is incorporated in [[fantasy]], where it maintains a [[silent]] [[existence]] within the [[subject]].  
 
When the [[subject]] does not recognize the [[object]] as [[lost]], as in [[melancholia]], the [[object]] is incorporated in [[fantasy]], where it maintains a [[silent]] [[existence]] within the [[subject]].  
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==Post-Freudian==
 
==Post-Freudian==
After [[Freud]], a number of [[psychoanalyst]]s took up the [[lost object]] and developed it in their theories.  
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After [[Freud]], a [[number]] of [[psychoanalyst]]s took up the [[lost object]] and developed it in their theories.  
  
 
[[Melanie Klein]] described [[internal]] [[object]]s in "[[Mourning and Its Relation to Manic-Depressive States]]" (1935).  
 
[[Melanie Klein]] described [[internal]] [[object]]s in "[[Mourning and Its Relation to Manic-Depressive States]]" (1935).  
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[[Jacques Lacan]] theorized that ''[[objet a]]'' is [[substitute]]d for the [[lost object]].  
 
[[Jacques Lacan]] theorized that ''[[objet a]]'' is [[substitute]]d for the [[lost object]].  
  
And Nicolas Abraham and Maria Torok related [[mourning]] and [[melancholia]] to the [[lost object]].
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And Nicolas [[Abraham]] and Maria Torok related [[mourning]] and [[melancholia]] to the [[lost object]].
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
<blockquote>Where is the [[subject]]?  It is necessary to find the [[subject]] as a [[lost object]].<ref>[[Lacan, Jacques]]. [[Of Structure as an Inmixing of an Otherness Prerequisite to Any Subject Whatever]]. Talk at John Hopkins University, Baltimore. 1966. <http://www.lacan.com/hotel.htm></ref></blockquote>
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<blockquote>Where is the [[subject]]?  It is necessary to find the [[subject]] as a [[lost object]].<ref>[[Lacan, Jacques]]. [[Of Structure as an Inmixing of an Otherness Prerequisite to Any Subject Whatever]]. Talk at John Hopkins [[University]], Baltimore. 1966. <http://www.lacan.com/hotel.htm></ref></blockquote>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
# Freud, Sigmund. (1905d). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. SE, 7: 123-243.
+
# Freud, Sigmund. (1905d). [[Three]] essays on the [[theory]] of [[sexuality]]. SE, 7: 123-243.
 
# ——. (1916-1917g [1915]). Mourning and melancholia. SE, 14: 237-258.
 
# ——. (1916-1917g [1915]). Mourning and melancholia. SE, 14: 237-258.
# ——. (1920g). Beyond the pleasure principle. SE, 18: 1-64.
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# ——. (1920g). Beyond the [[pleasure]] [[principle]]. SE, 18: 1-64.
# ——. (1926d [1925]). Inhibitions, symptoms, and anxiety. SE, 20: 75-172.
+
# ——. (1926d [1925]). Inhibitions, [[symptoms]], and anxiety. SE, 20: 75-172.
# Klein, Melanie. (1935). Mourning and its relation to manic-depressive states. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 21, 125-153.
+
# [[Klein]], Melanie. (1935). Mourning and its relation to [[manic-depressive]] states. International Journal of [[Psycho]]-[[Analysis]], 21, 125-153.
# Lacan, Jacques. (1966).Écrits. Paris: Seuil.
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# [[Lacan]], Jacques. (1966).Écrits. [[Paris]]: Seuil.
  
 
[[Category:New]]
 
[[Category:New]]

Latest revision as of 01:17, 26 May 2019

According to Sigmund Freud, the loss of the object is a two-step process whereby the subject is constituted.

First, the earliest partial object, the breast, is lost.

Then the primary love object, the mother, is likewise lost.

The earliest sexual object is the breast, and the earliest source of satisfaction for the sexual instinct is the encounter between two partial objects, the infant's mouth and the mother's breast.

In Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905), Freud explained that the breast becomes a lost object "just at the time, perhaps, when the child is able to form a total idea of the person to whom the organ that is giving him satisfaction belongs."[1]

Loss of the object of the oral instinct is thus a precondition of access to the total person as a possible love object.

At the same time, however, this loss opens the door to autoeroticism for the infant as the infant assumes a complete body image.

The infant, though in a passive position, is active with regard to a part of its own body, and this enables the infant to find a source of satisfaction that is the first substitute for the breast.

Later the lost object becomes the "whole person" in the context of the "Fort/Da" game described by Freud in Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920).

Here separation from the object is addressed in two ways:

  1. either the child expresses an impulse to master the object by breaking it, casting it aside, or incorporating it in fantasy (and so working it over in the psyche), or
  2. the child bypasses the need for the object by regarding it as a lost object beyond the reach of the self.

With the recognition of the absence of the object, therefore, the child makes a transition, as a result of working over in the psyche, to a capacity to do without the object.

When the subject does not recognize the object as lost, as in melancholia, the object is incorporated in fantasy, where it maintains a silent existence within the subject.

Freud described this process in "Mourning and Melancholia" (1915).

Object loss can also provoke anxiety, mourning, or pain, as Freud outlined in Inhibitions, Symptoms, and Anxiety (1925).

Post-Freudian

After Freud, a number of psychoanalysts took up the lost object and developed it in their theories.

Melanie Klein described internal objects in "Mourning and Its Relation to Manic-Depressive States" (1935).

Jacques Lacan theorized that objet a is substituted for the lost object.

And Nicolas Abraham and Maria Torok related mourning and melancholia to the lost object.

Quotes

Where is the subject? It is necessary to find the subject as a lost object.[2]

References

  1. Freud, Sigmund. (1905d). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. SE, 7: 123-243.
  2. ——. (1916-1917g [1915]). Mourning and melancholia. SE, 14: 237-258.
  3. ——. (1920g). Beyond the pleasure principle. SE, 18: 1-64.
  4. ——. (1926d [1925]). Inhibitions, symptoms, and anxiety. SE, 20: 75-172.
  5. Klein, Melanie. (1935). Mourning and its relation to manic-depressive states. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 21, 125-153.
  6. Lacan, Jacques. (1966).Écrits. Paris: Seuil.