Difference between revisions of "Méconnaissance"
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| + | {{Top}}méconnaissance{{Bottom}} | ||
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| + | ==Translation== | ||
The [[French]] term ''[[méconnaissance]]'' corresponds roughly to the [[English]] words "[[Méconnaissance|misunderstanding]]" and "[[Méconnaissance|misrecognition]]". | The [[French]] term ''[[méconnaissance]]'' corresponds roughly to the [[English]] words "[[Méconnaissance|misunderstanding]]" and "[[Méconnaissance|misrecognition]]". | ||
However, the [[French]] term is usually left untranslated when translating [[Lacan]] into [[English]] in order to show its close relationship with the term ''[[connaissance]]'' ("[[knowledge]]"). | However, the [[French]] term is usually left untranslated when translating [[Lacan]] into [[English]] in order to show its close relationship with the term ''[[connaissance]]'' ("[[knowledge]]"). | ||
| − | Thus, in the [[imaginary]] [[order]], [[knowledge|self-knowledge]] (''me-connaissance'') is synonymous with [[méconnaissance|misunderstanding]] (''[[méconnaissance]]''), because the process by which the [[ego]] is formed in the [[mirror stage]] is at the same time the institution of [[alienation]] from the | + | ==Neurotic Self-Knowledge== |
| − | + | Thus, in the [[imaginary]] [[order]], [[knowledge|self-knowledge]] (''me-connaissance'') is synonymous with [[méconnaissance|misunderstanding]] (''[[méconnaissance]]''), because the process by which the [[ego]] is formed in the [[mirror stage]] is at the same time the institution of [[alienation]] from the [[symbolic]] determination of [[being]]. | |
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| + | ==Paranoid Delusions== | ||
| + | As well as being the [[structure]] of ordinary [[neurotic]] [[knowledge|self-knowledge]], ''[[méconnaissance]]'' is also the [[structure]] of [[paranoiac]] [[delusions]], which are described in terms of a ''[[méconnaissance|méconnaissance systématique de la reéalité]]''.<ref>{{L}} "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Some Reflections on the Ego]]," ''Int. J. Psycho-Anal.'', vol. 34, 1953 [1951b]. p. 12</ref> | ||
| + | ==Paranoiac Knowledge== | ||
This structural homology between the ordinary constitution of the [[ego]] and [[paranoiac]] [[delusions]] is what leads [[Lacan]] to describe all [[knowledge]] (''[[connaissance]]''), in both [[neurosis]] and [[psychosis]], as "[[knowledge|paranoiac knowledge]]." | This structural homology between the ordinary constitution of the [[ego]] and [[paranoiac]] [[delusions]] is what leads [[Lacan]] to describe all [[knowledge]] (''[[connaissance]]''), in both [[neurosis]] and [[psychosis]], as "[[knowledge|paranoiac knowledge]]." | ||
| − | + | ==Ignorance== | |
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''[[Méconnaissance]]'' is to be distinguished from [[knowledge|ignorance]], which is one of the three [[affect|passions]]. | ''[[Méconnaissance]]'' is to be distinguished from [[knowledge|ignorance]], which is one of the three [[affect|passions]]. | ||
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<blockquote>Misrecognition is not ignorance. Misrecognition represents a certain organization of affirmations and negations, to which the subject is attached. Hence it cannot be conceived without correlate knowledge... There must surely be, behind his misrecognition, a kind of knowledge of what there is to misrecognize.<ref>{{S1}} p.167</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>Misrecognition is not ignorance. Misrecognition represents a certain organization of affirmations and negations, to which the subject is attached. Hence it cannot be conceived without correlate knowledge... There must surely be, behind his misrecognition, a kind of knowledge of what there is to misrecognize.<ref>{{S1}} p.167</ref></blockquote> | ||
| + | ==Ego Formation== | ||
Again, this applies both in the ordinary construction of the [[ego]] and in [[paranoia]]. | Again, this applies both in the ordinary construction of the [[ego]] and in [[paranoia]]. | ||
| − | In the former case, the [[ego]] is basically a misrecognition of the [[symbolic]] determinants of [[subjectivity]] (the [[discourse]] of the [[Other]], the [[unconscious]]). | + | In the former case, the [[ego]] is basically a [[Méconnaissance|misrecognition]] of the [[symbolic]] determinants of [[subjectivity]] (the [[discourse]] of the [[Other]], the [[unconscious]]). |
| − | In the latter case, [[paranoiac]] [[delusions]] always imply a recognition (''reconnaissance''), as is evident in systematic misunderstanding (méconnaissance systématique), where it must clearly be admitted that that which is denied is in some way recognized (''reconnu'').<ref>{{Ec}} p.165</ref> | + | In the latter case, [[paranoiac]] [[delusions]] always imply a [[Méconnaissance|recognition]] (''[[Méconnaissance|reconnaissance]]''), as is evident in [[Méconnaissance|systematic misunderstanding]] (''méconnaissance systématique''), where it must clearly be admitted that that which is denied is in some way [[Méconnaissance|recognized]] (''reconnu'').<ref>{{Ec}} p.165</ref> |
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Alienation]] | ||
| + | * [[Being]] | ||
| + | * [[Delusion]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Ego]] | ||
| + | * [[Imaginary]] | ||
| + | * [[Knowledge]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Mirror stage]] | ||
| + | * [[Neurosis]] | ||
| + | * [[Other]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Paranoia]] | ||
| + | * [[Subject]] | ||
| + | * [[Symbolic]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
[[Category:Dictionary]] | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Imaginary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
| + | {{OK}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | __NOTOC__ | ||
Revision as of 19:37, 24 August 2006
| French: méconnaissance |
Translation
The French term méconnaissance corresponds roughly to the English words "misunderstanding" and "misrecognition".
However, the French term is usually left untranslated when translating Lacan into English in order to show its close relationship with the term connaissance ("knowledge").
Neurotic Self-Knowledge
Thus, in the imaginary order, self-knowledge (me-connaissance) is synonymous with misunderstanding (méconnaissance), because the process by which the ego is formed in the mirror stage is at the same time the institution of alienation from the symbolic determination of being.
Paranoid Delusions
As well as being the structure of ordinary neurotic self-knowledge, méconnaissance is also the structure of paranoiac delusions, which are described in terms of a méconnaissance systématique de la reéalité.[1]
Paranoiac Knowledge
This structural homology between the ordinary constitution of the ego and paranoiac delusions is what leads Lacan to describe all knowledge (connaissance), in both neurosis and psychosis, as "paranoiac knowledge."
Ignorance
Méconnaissance is to be distinguished from ignorance, which is one of the three passions.
Whereas ignorance is a passion for the absence of knowledge, méconnaissance is an imaginary misrecognition of a symbolic knowledge (savoir) tha tthe subject does possess somewhere.
Misrecognition is not ignorance. Misrecognition represents a certain organization of affirmations and negations, to which the subject is attached. Hence it cannot be conceived without correlate knowledge... There must surely be, behind his misrecognition, a kind of knowledge of what there is to misrecognize.[2]
Ego Formation
Again, this applies both in the ordinary construction of the ego and in paranoia.
In the former case, the ego is basically a misrecognition of the symbolic determinants of subjectivity (the discourse of the Other, the unconscious).
In the latter case, paranoiac delusions always imply a recognition (reconnaissance), as is evident in systematic misunderstanding (méconnaissance systématique), where it must clearly be admitted that that which is denied is in some way recognized (reconnu).[3]
See Also
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. "Some Reflections on the Ego," Int. J. Psycho-Anal., vol. 34, 1953 [1951b]. p. 12
- ↑ 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.167
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.165
