Changes

[[mathematics]] (''[[{{Top}}mathématiques]]''){{Bottom}}

==Symbolic==In his attempt to theorize the [[category ]] of the [[symbolic]], [[Lacan]] adopts two basic approaches.# The first approach is to describe it in [[terms]] borrowed from [[linguistics]], using a [[Saussure]]an-inspired [[model]] of [[language]] as a [[system]] of [[signifiers]].# The second approach is to describe it in terms borrowed from [[mathematics]]. The two approaches are complementary, since both are attempts to describe [[formal]] systems with precise rules, and both demonstrate the [[power]] of the [[signifier]].

The first approach ===History===Although there is to describe it a general shift in terms borrowed [[Lacan]]'s [[work]] from the [[linguisticslinguistic]], using approach which predominates in the 1950s to a [[Saussuremathematical]]an-inspired model approach which predominates in the 1970s, there are traces of the [[languagemathematical]] approach as early as a system the 1940s. The branches of [[signifiermathematics]]which [[Lacan]s] uses most are [[algebra]] and [[topology]], although there are also incursions into set [[theory]] and [[number]] theory.<ref>{{E}} pp.316-18</ref>

The second approach is to describe it in terms borrowed from [[mathematics]]. The two approaches are complementary, since both are attempts to describe formal systems with precise rules, and both demonstrate the power of the [[signifier]]. Although there is a general shift in [[Lacan]]'s work from the [[linguistic]] approach which predominates in the 1950s to a mathematical approach which predominates in the 1970s, there are traces of the mathematical approach as early as the 1940s (such as Lacan's analysis of a logical puzzle in Lacan, 1945; see his 1956 chain that "the laws of intersubjectivity are mathematical).<ref>{{Ec}} p.472</ref> The branches of [[mathematics]] which [[Lacan]] uses most are [[algebra]] and [[topology]], although there are also incursions into set theory and number theory.<ref>{{E}} p.316-18</ref> --==Formalization==[[Lacan]]'s use of [[mathematics]] represents an attempt to [[formalize ]] [[psychoanalytic theory]], in keeping with his view that [[psychoanalytic theory]] should aspire to the [[formalization ]] proper to [[science]]. <blockquote>"Mathematical formalization is our [[goal]], our [[ideal]]."<ref>{{S20}} p.108</ref></blockquote>[[Mathematics]] serves serve [[Lacan]] as a paradigm of modern [[scientific ]] [[discourse]], which "emerged from the little letters of mathematics."<ref>{{S7}} p.236</ref> --

<blockquote>"The root of the difficulty is that you can only introduce symols, mathematical or otherwise, by using everyday language, since you have, after all, to explain what you are going to do with them."<ref>==See Also=={{S1See}} p.2</ref></blockquote>* [[Algebra]]Thus * [[LacanLinguistics]]'s use of ||* [[mathematicsMathemes]] is not an attempt to escape from the ambiguity of * [[languageScience]], but, on the contrary, to produce a way of formalizing ||* [[psychoanalysisSymbolic]] which produces multiple effects of sense without being reducible to a univocal signification. Also, by using mathematics Lacan attempts to prevent all attempts at imaginary intuitive understanding of * [[psychoanalysisTopology]].{{Also}}