Difference between revisions of "Master-Signifier"

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A Lacanian concept derived from  Saussurean structural linguistics. In structural linguistics, language is a a system in which there are no positive terms, only differences. This means that language only refers to language; that words are only distinct because they are not other words. Imagine looking for a definition of a word in a dictionary. When one finds the definition it consists of only other words. This endless [[Signifying chain|chain of signifiers]] is halted by the master-signifier.  
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A [[Lacanian]] [[concept]] derived from  [[Saussurean]] [[structural]] [[linguistics]]. In structural linguistics, [[language]] is a a [[system]] in which there are no positive [[terms]], only differences. This means that language only refers to language; that [[words]] are only distinct because they are not [[other]] words. Imagine [[looking]] for a definition of a [[word]] in a [[dictionary]]. When one finds the definition it consists of only other words. This endless [[Signifying chain|chain of signifiers]] is halted by the [[master]]-[[signifier]].  
  
The master-signifier is a signifier that points to ''itself'' instead of other signifiers. Žižek refers to Marx's conception of commodity fetishism as an example of a master-signifier:
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The master-signifier is a signifier that points to ''itself'' instead of other [[signifiers]]. Žižek refers to [[Marx]]'s conception of [[commodity]] [[fetishism]] as an example of a master-signifier:
  
<blockquote>Money refers to value as such, and all other commodities are thought of in terms of how much money one can get for them. That is, money as a commodity becomes self-referential -- money is worth (signifies) money, instead of being worth X number of commodities -- and all other commodities are worth (signify) money.<ref>Kotsko, Adam, ''Žižek and Theology'', 2008, 30.</ref> </blockquote>  
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<blockquote>[[Money]] refers to [[value]] as such, and all other commodities are [[thought]] of in terms of how much money one can get for [[them]]. That is, money as a commodity becomes [[self]]-referential -- money is worth (signifies) money, instead of [[being]] worth X [[number]] of commodities -- and all other commodities are worth ([[signify]]) money.<ref>Kotsko, Adam, ''Žižek and [[Theology]]'', 2008, 30.</ref> </blockquote>  
  
Just as money in Marx's conception of commodity fetishism is in-itself devoid of value, the master-signifier is devoid of value, but provides a ''[[Point de capiton]]'' or quilting point around which other signifiers can stabilize.  
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Just as money in Marx's conception of [[commodity fetishism]] is [[in-itself]] devoid of value, the master-signifier is devoid of value, but provides a ''[[Point de capiton]]'' or [[quilting point]] around which other signifiers can stabilize.  
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:12, 20 May 2019

A Lacanian concept derived from Saussurean structural linguistics. In structural linguistics, language is a a system in which there are no positive terms, only differences. This means that language only refers to language; that words are only distinct because they are not other words. Imagine looking for a definition of a word in a dictionary. When one finds the definition it consists of only other words. This endless chain of signifiers is halted by the master-signifier.

The master-signifier is a signifier that points to itself instead of other signifiers. Žižek refers to Marx's conception of commodity fetishism as an example of a master-signifier:

Money refers to value as such, and all other commodities are thought of in terms of how much money one can get for them. That is, money as a commodity becomes self-referential -- money is worth (signifies) money, instead of being worth X number of commodities -- and all other commodities are worth (signify) money.[1]

Just as money in Marx's conception of commodity fetishism is in-itself devoid of value, the master-signifier is devoid of value, but provides a Point de capiton or quilting point around which other signifiers can stabilize.

References

  1. Kotsko, Adam, Žižek and Theology, 2008, 30.