Changes

Jump to: navigation, search
m
Text replace - "é" to "é"
* [[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>
(Lacan Talk at John Hopkins UniversitySomebody spent some time this afternoon trying to convince me that it would surely not be a [[pleasure]] for an English-speaking audience to listen to my bad accent and that for me to speak in [[English]] would constitute a risk for what one might call the transmission of my [[message]]. Truly, for me it is a great case of [[conscience]], because to do otherwise would be absolutely contrary to my own concept of the [[message]]: of the [[message]] as I will explain it to you, of the [[linguistic]] [[message]]. Many people talk nowadays about messages everywhere, inside the organism a hormone is a message, a beam of light to obtain teleguidance to a plane or from a satellite is a message, and so on; but the [[message]] in [[language]] is absolutely different. The message, our message, in all cases comes from the [[Other]] by which I understand "from the place of the Other." It certainly is not the common [[little other|other]], the [[little other| other]] with a lower-case <i>o</i>, and this is why I have given a capital <i>O</i> as the initial letter to the [[Other]] of whom I am now speaking. Since in this case, here in Baltimore, 1966) it would seam that the [[Other]] is naturally [[English]]-speaking, it would really be doing myself [[violence]] to speak [[French]]. But the question that this person raised, that it would perhaps be difficult and even a little ridiculous for me to speak [[English]], is an important argument and I also know that there are many French-speaking people present that do not understand English at all; for these my choice of English would be a security, but perhaps I would not wish them to be so secure and in this case I shall speak a little French as well.
Somebody spent some time this afternoon trying to convince me that it would surely not be a pleasure for an English-speaking audience to listen to my bad accent and that for me to speak in English would constitute a risk for what one might call the transmission of my message. Truly, for me it is a great case of conscience, because to do otherwise would be absolutely contrary to my own concept of the message: of the message as I will explain it to you, of the linguistic message. Many people talk nowadays about messages everywhere, inside the organism a hormone is a message, a beam of light to obtain teleguidance to a plane or from a satellite is a message, and so on; but the message in language is absolutely different. The message. our message, in all cases comes from the Other by which I understand &quot;from the place of the Other.&quot; It certainly is not the common other, the other with a lower-case <i>o</i>, and this is why I have given a capital <i>O</i> as the initial letter to the Other of whom I am now speaking. Since in this case, here in Baltimore, it would seam that the Other is naturally English-speaking, it would really be doing myself violence to speak French. But the question that this person raised, that it would perhaps be difficult and even a little ridiculous for me to speak English, is an important argument and I also know that there are many French-speaking people present that do not understand English at all; for these my choice of English would be a security, but perhaps I would not wish them to be so secure and in this case I shall speak a little French as well.
First, let me put forth some advice about [[structure]], which is the subject matter of our meeting. It may happen that there will be mistakes, confusion, more and more approximative uses of this notion, and I think that soon there will be some sort of fad about this word. For me it is different because I have used this term for a very long time; since the beginning of my teaching. The reason why something about my position is not better known is that I addressed myself only to a very special audience, namely one of [[psychoanalysts]]. Here there are some very peculiar difficulties, because [[psychoanalysts]] really know something: of what I was talking to them about and that this thing is a particularly difficult thing to cope with for anybody who practices [[psychoanalysis]]. The subject is not a simple thing for the [[psychoanalysts]] who have something to do with the subject proper. In this case I wish to avoid misunderstandings, <i>[[méconnaissance]]s</i>, of my position.
First, let me put forth some advice about structure, which is the subject matter of our meeting. It may happen that there will be mistakes, confusion, more and more approximative uses of this notion. and I think that soon there will be some sort of fad about this word. For me it is different because I have used this term for a very long time&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; since the beginning of my teaching. The reason why something about my position is not better known is that I addressed myself only to a very special audience, namely one of psychoanalysts. Here there are some very peculiar difficulties, because psychoanalysts really know something: of what I was talking to them about and that this thing is a particularly difficult thing to cope with for anybody who practices psychoanalysis. The subject is not a simple thing for the psychoanalysts who have something to do with the subject proper. In this case I wish to avoid misunderstandings, <i>méconnaissances</i>, of my position. <i>Méconnaissance[[Méconnaissance]]</i> is a French word which I am obliged to use because there is no equivalent in [[English]]. <i>Méconnaissance[[Méconnaissance]]</i> precisely implies the [[subject ]] in its [[meaning&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp]];and I was also advised that it is not so easy to talk about the &quot;"[[subject&quot; ]]" before an [[English]]-speaking audience. <i>Méconnaissance[[Méconnaissance]]</i> is not to <i>méconnaitreméconnaitre</i> my [[subjectivity]]. What exactly is in question is the status of the problem of the [[structure]].
When I began to teach something about [[Psychoanalysis]] I lost some of my audience, because I had perceived long before then the simple fact that if you open a book of [[Freud]], and particularly those books which are properly about the [[unconscious]], you can be absolutely sure -- it is not a probability but a certitude -- to fall on a page where it is not only a question of [[word]]s -- naturally in a book there are always words many printed words -- but [[word]]s which are the [[object]] through which one seeks for a way to handle the [[unconscious]]. Not even the meaning of the [[word]]s, but [[word]]s in their flesh, in their [[material]] aspect. A great part of the speculations of [[Freud]] is about [[pun]]ning in a [[dream]] or [[lapsus]], or what in French we call <i>calembour, homonymie</i>, or still the division of a word into many parts with each part taking on a new meaning after it is broken down. It is curious to note, even if in this case it is not absolutely proven, that words are the only [[material]] of the [[unconscious]]. It is not proven but it is probable (and in any case I have never said that the [[unconscious]] was an assemblage of [[word]]s, but that the [[unconscious]] is precisely [[structure]]d). I don't think there is such an [[English]] word but it is necessary to have this term, as we are talking about [[structure]] and the [[unconscious is structured as a language]]. What does that mean?
When I began to teach something about Psychoanalysis I lost some of my audience, because I had perceived long before then the simple fact that if you open a book of Freud, and particularly those books which are properly about the unconscious, you can be absolutely sure&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;it is not a probability but a certitude&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;to fall on a page where it is not only a question of words&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;naturally in a book there are always words many printed words&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;but words which are the object through which one seeks for a way to handle the unconscious. Not even the meaning of the words, but words in their flesh, in their material aspect. A great part of the speculations of Freud is about punning in a dream or lapsus, or what in French we call <i>calembour, homonymie</i>, or still the division of a word into many parts with each part taking on a new meaning after it is broken down. It is curious to note, even if in this case it is not absolutely proven, that words are the only material of the unconscious. It is not proven but it is probable (and in any case I have never said that the unconscious was an assemblage of words, but that the unconscious is precisely structured). I don't think there is such an English word but it is necessary to have this term, as we are talking about structure and the unconscious is structured as a language. What does that mean?
Properly speaking this is a redundancy because "[[structured]]" and "as a [[language]]" for me mean exactly the same thing. [[Structure]]d means my [[speech]], my [[:category:terms|lexicon]], etc., which is exactly the same as a [[language]]. And that is not all. Which [[language]]? Rather than myself it was my pupils that took a great deal of trouble to give that question a different [[meaning]], and to search for the formula of a reduced [[language]]. What are the minimum conditions, they ask themselves, necessary to constitute a [[language]]? Perhaps only four <i>signantes</i>, four [[signify]]ing elements are enough. It is a curious exercise which is based on a complete error, as I hope to show you on the board in a moment. There were also some [[philosophers]], not many really but some, of those present at my [[seminar]] in Paris who have found since then that it was not a question of an &quot;under&quot; [[language]] or of &quot;another&quot; [[language]], not [[myth]] for instance or [[phoneme]]s, but [[language]]. It is extraordinary the pains that all took to change the place of the question. [[Myth]]s, for instance, do not take place in our consideration precisely because those are also [[structure]]d as a [[language]], and when I say &quot;as a [[language]]&quot; it is not as some special sort of [[language]], for example, [[mathematical]] [[language]], [[semiotical]] [[language]], or [[cinematographical]] [[language]]. [[Language]] is [[language]] and there is only one sort of [[languag]]e: [[concrete]] [[language]]&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; [[English]] or [[French]] for instance&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;that people talk. The first thing to start in this context is that there is no [[meta-language]]. For it is necessary that all so called [[meta-language]]s be presented to you with [[language]]. You cannot teach a course in [[mathematic]]s using only [[letter]]s on the board. It is always necessary to speak an ordinary [[language]] that is understood.
Properly speaking this It is not only because the [[material]] of the [[unconscious]] is a redundancy because &quot;structured&quot; and &quot;[[linguistic]] [[material]], or as a language&quot; for me mean exactly we say in [[French]] <i>[[langagier]]</i> that the same thing. Structured means my speech, my lexicon, etc., which [[unconscious]] is exactly the same [[structure]]d as a [[language]]. And The question that the [[unconscious]] raises for you is not all. Which language? Rather than myself it was my pupils a problem that took a great deal touches the most sensitive point of the nature of trouble to give [[language]] that is the question a different meaning, and to search for of the [[subject]]. The [[subject]] cannot simply be identified with the [[speaker]] or the formula of personal pronoun in a reduced languagesentence. What are In [[French]] the minimum conditions, they ask themselves, necessary to constitute a language? Perhaps only four <i>signantes[[ennoncé]]</i>, four signifying elements are enough. It is a curious exercise which is based on a complete error, as I hope to show you on exactly the board in a moment. There were also some philosopherssentence, not but there are many really but some, <i>[[ennoncé]]s</i> where there is no [[index]] of those present at my seminar in Paris him who have found since then that it was not a question of an &quot;under&quot; language or of &quot;another&quot; language, not myth for instance or phonemes, but language. It is extraordinary utters the pains that all took to change the place of the question<i>ennoncé</i>. Myths, for instance, do not take place in our consideration precisely because those are also structured as a language, and when When I say &quot;as a languageit rains,&quot; it the [[subject]] of the [[enunciation]] is not as some special sort part of language, for example, mathematical language, semiotical language, or cinematographical languagethe [[sentence]]. Language is language and In any case here there is only one some sort of language: concrete language&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; English or French for instance&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;that people talkdifficulty. The first thing to start in this context is that there is no meta-language. For it is necessary that all so called meta-languages [[subject]] cannot always be presented to you identified with language. You cannot teach a course in mathematics using only letters on what the [[linguist]]s call &quot;the board. It is always necessary to speak an ordinary language that is understood[[shifter]]. &quot;
The question that the nature of the [[unconscious]] puts before us is in a few words, that something always [[think]]s. [[Freud]] told us that the [[unconscious]] is above all [[thought]]s, and that which [[think]]s is [[bar]]red from [[consciousness]]. This [[bar]] has many applications, many possibilities with regard to meaning. The main one is that it is really a [[bar]]rier, a [[bar]]rier which it is necessary to jump over or to pass through. This is important because if I don't emphasize this [[bar]]rier all is well for you. As we say in [[French]], ''ça vous arrange'', because if something thinks in the floor below or underground things are simple; [[thought]] is always there and all one needs is a little [[consciousness]] on the [[thought]] that the living being is naturally thinking and all is well. If such were the case, [[thought]] would be prepared by [[life]], [[naturally]], such as [[instinct]] for instance. If [[thought]] is a [[natural]] process, then the [[unconscious]] is without difficulty. But the [[unconscious]] has nothing to do with [[instinct]] or primitive [[knowledge]] or preparation of [[thought]] in some underground. It is a [[thinking]] with [[word]]s, with [[thought]]s that escape your vigilance, your state of watchfulness. The question of vigilance is important. It is as if a demon plays a game with your watchfulness. The question is to find a precise status for this [[other]] [[subject]] which is exactly the sort of [[subject]] that we can determine taking our point of departure in [[language]].
It is not only because the material of the unconscious is a linguistic materialWhen I prepared this little talk for you, or as we say it was early in French <i>langagier</i> that the unconscious is structured as a languagemorning. The question that I could see Baltimore through the unconscious raises for you is window and it was a very interesting moment because it was not quite daylight and a problem that touches neon sign indicated to me every minute the most sensitive point change of time, and naturally there was heavy traffic and I remarked to myself that exactly all that I could see, except for some trees in the nature of language that is distance, was the question result of [[thought]]s actively [[thinking]] [[thought]]s, where the subject. The subject cannot simply be identified with function played by the speaker or the personal pronoun in a sentencesubjects was not completely obvious. In French any case the so-called <i>ennoncé[[Dasein]]</i> is exactly the sentence, but there are many <i>ennoncés</i> where there is no index as a definition of him who utters the <i>ennoncé</i>. When I say &quot;it rains[[subject]],&quot; the subject of the enunciation is not part of the sentence. In any case here was there is some sort of difficultyin this rather intermittent or fading [[spectator]]. The subject cannot always be identified with what best [[image]] to sum up the linguists call &quot;[[unconscious]] is Baltimore in the shifterearly morning.&quot;
Where is the [[subject]]? It is necessary to find the [[subject]] as a [[lost object]]. More precisely this [[lost object]] is the support of the [[subject]] and in many cases is a more abject thing than you may care to consider&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;in some cases it is something done, as all [[psychoanalyst]]s and many people who have been psychoanalyzed know perfectly well. That is why many [[psychoanalyst]]s prefer to return to a general [[psychology]], as the President of the New York Psychoanalytical Society tells us we ought to do. But I cannot change things, I am a [[psychoanalyst]] and if someone prefers to address himself to a professor of [[psychology]] that is his affair. The question of the [[structure]], since we are talking of [[psychology]], is not a term that only I use. For a long time thinkers, searchers, and even inventors who were concerned with the question of the [[mind]], have over the years put forward the idea of [[unity]] as the most important and characteristic trait of [[structure]]. Conceived as something which is already in the [[reality]] of the organism it is obvious. The organism when it is mature is a unit and functions as a unit. The question becomes more difficult when this idea of [[unity]] is applied to the function of the [[mind]], because the [[mind]] is not a totality in itself, but these ideas in the form of the intentional [[unity]] were the basis; as you know, of all of the so-called [[phenomenological]] movement. The same was also true in [[physics]] and [[psychology]] with the so-called [[Gestalt]] school and the [[notion]] of <i>bonne forme</i> whose function was to join, for instance, a drop of water and more complicated ideas, and great [[psychologist]]s, and even the [[psychoanalyst]]s are full of the idea of &quot;total personality.&quot; At any rate, it is always the [[unifying]] [[unity]] which is in the foreground. I have never understood this, for if I am a [[psychoanalyst]] I am also a man, and as a man my experience has shown me that the principal characteristic of my own [[human]] [[life]] and, I am sure, that of the people who are here&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and if anybody is not of this opinion I hope that he will raise his hand&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;is that [[life]] is something which goes, as we say in [[French]],<i> á la dérive</i>. [[Life]] goes down the river, from time to time touching a bank; staying for a while here and there, without understanding anything&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and it is the principle of [[analysis]] that nobody understands anything of what happens. The idea of the [[unifying]] [[unity]] of the [[human]] condition has always had on me the effect of a scandalous [[lie]].
The question that the nature of the unconscious puts before us is in a few words, that something always thinks. Freud told us that the unconscious is above all thoughts, and that which thinks is barred from consciousness. This bar has many applications, many possibilities with regard We may try to meaning. The main one is that it is really a barrier, a barrier which it is necessary introduce another principle to jump over or to pass through[[understand]] these things. This is important because if I don't emphasize this barrier all is well for you. As If we say in French, ça vous arrange, because if something thinks in the floor below or underground rarely try to [[understand]] things are simple; thought is always there and all one needs is a little consciousness on from the thought that point of view of the living being is naturally thinking and all is well. If such were the case[[unconscious]], thought would be prepared by life, naturally, such as instinct for instance. If thought it is a natural process, then because the [[unconscious is without difficulty. But the unconscious has nothing to do with instinct or primitive knowledge or preparation of thought ]] tells us something articulated in some underground. It is a thinking with words, with thoughts that escape your vigilance, your state of watchfulness. The question of vigilance is important. It is as if a demon plays a game with your watchfulness. The question is [[word]]s and perhaps we could try to find a precise status search for this other subject which is exactly the sort of subject that we can determine taking our point of departure in languagetheir principle.
I suggest you consider the [[unity]] in another light. Not a <i>unifying</i> [[unity]] but the countable unity one, two, three. After fifteen years I have taught my pupils to count at most up to five which is difficult (four is easier) and they have [[understood]] that much. But for tonight permit me to stay at two. Of course what we are dealing with here is the question of the integer, and the question of integers is not a simple one as I think many people here know. To count, of course, is not difficult. It is only necessary to have, for instance, a certain number of sets and a one to-one correspondence. It is true for example that there are exactly as many people sitting in this room as there are seats. But it is necessary to have a collection composed of integers to constitute an integer, or what is called a natural number. It is, of course, in part natural but only in the sense that we do not understand why it exists. Counting is not an empirical fact and it is impossible to deduce the act of counting from empirical data alone. [[Hume]] tried but Frege demonstrated perfectly the ineptitude of the attempt. The real difficulty lies in the fact that every integer is in itself a unit. If I take two as a unit, things are very enjoyable, [[men]] and [[women]] for instance&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;[[love]] plus [[unity]]! But after a while it is finished, after these two there is nobody, perhaps a [[child]], but that is another level and to generate three is another affair. When you try to read the theories of [[mathematicians]] regarding numbers you find the formula &quot;n plus 1 (n + 1)&quot; as the basis of all the theories. It is this question of the &quot;one more&quot; that is the key to the genesis of numbers and instead of this [[unifying]] [[unity]] that constitutes two in the first case I propose that you consider the real numerical genesis of two.
When It is necessary that this two constitute the first integer which is not yet born as a number before the two appears. You have made this possible because the two is here to grant existence to the first one: put <i>two</i> in the place of <i>one</i> and consequently in the place of the <i>two</i> you see <i>three</i> appear. What we have here is something which I prepared can call the <i>mark</i>. You already have something which is marked or something which is not marked. It is with the first mark that we have the status of the thing. It is exactly in this little talk for fashion that Frege explains the genesis of the number; the class which is characterized by no elements is the first class; you, have one at the place of zero and afterward it was early in is easy to understand how the place of one becomes the morningsecond place which makes place for two, three, and so on. I could see Baltimore through The question of the two is for us the question of the window subject. and it was here we reach a very interesting moment because it was fact of psychoanalytical experience in as much as the two does not quite daylight and a neon sign indicated complete the one to make two, but must repeat the one to permit the one to exist. This first repetition is the only one necessary to me every minute explain the change genesis of timethe number, and naturally there was heavy traffic and I remarked only one repetition is necessary to myself constitute the status of the subject. The unconscious subject is something that exactly all that I could seetends to repeat itself, but only one such repetition is necessary to constitute it. However, except let us look more precisely at what is necessary for some trees the second to repeat the first in order that we may have a repetition. This question cannot be answered too quickly. If you answer too quickly, you will answer that it is necessary that they are the distance, was same. In this case the result principle of thoughts actively thinking thoughtsthe two should be that of twins&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and why not triplets or quintuplets? In my day we used to teach children that they must not add, for instance, microphones with dictionaries; but this is absolutely absurd, where the function played by the subjects was because we would not have addition if we were not completely obviousable to add microphones with dictionaries or as [[Lewis Carroll]] says, cabbages with kings. In any case The sameness is not in things but in the so-called <i>Daseinmark</i> which makes it possible to add things with no consideration as a definition to their differences. The mark has the effect of rubbing out the difference, and this is the key to what happens to the subject, the unconscious subject in the repetition; because you know that this subject repeats something peculiarly significant, the subjectis here, for instance, was there in this rather intermittent obscure thing that we call in some cases trauma, or exquisite pleasure. What happens? If the &quot;thing&quot; exists in this symbolic structure, if this unitary trait is decisive, the trait of the sameness is here. In order that the &quot;thing&quot; which is sought be here in you, it is necessary that the first trait be rubbed out because the trait itself is a modification. It is the taking away of all difference, and in this case, without the trait, the first &quot;thing:&quot; is simply lost. The key to this insistence in repetition is that in its essence repetition as repetition of the symbolical sameness is impossible. In any case, the subject is the effect of this repetition in as much as it necessitates the &quot;fading spectator,&quot; the obliteration, of the first foundation of the subject, which is why the subject, by status, is always presented as a divided essence. The best image to sum up trait, I insist, is identical, but it assures the difference only of identity&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;not by effect of sameness or difference but by the unconscious difference of identity. This is Baltimore easy to understand: as we say in French, <i>je vous numérotte</i>, I give you each a number; and this assures the early morningfact that you are numerically different but nothing more than that.
What can we propose to intuition in order to show that the trait be found in something which is at the same time one or two? Consider the following diagram which I call an inverted eight, after a well-known figure:
Where is You can see that the subject? It is necessary to find the subject as a lost object. More precisely line in this lost object is the support of the subject and in many cases is a more abject thing than you instance may care to consider&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;in some cases it is something done, be considered either as all psychoanalysts and many people who have been psychoanalyzed know perfectly well. That is why many psychoanalysts prefer to return to a general psychology, one or as the President of the New York Psychoanalytical Society tells us we ought to do. But I cannot change things, I am a psychoanalyst and if someone prefers to address himself to a professor of psychology that is his affairtwo lines. The question of This diagram can be considered the structure, since we are talking basis of psychology, is not a term that only I use. For a long time thinkers, searchers, and even inventors who were concerned with the question sort of essential inscription at the mindorigin, have over in the years put forward the idea of unity as the most important and characteristic trait of structure. Conceived as something knot which is already in constitutes the reality of the organism it is obvioussubject. The organism when it is mature is a unit and functions as a unit. The question becomes more difficult when this idea of unity is applied to the function of the mind This goes much further than you might think at first, because you can search for the mind is not a totality in itself, but these ideas in the form sort of the intentional unity were the basis; as you know, of all of the so-called phenomenological movementsurface able to receive such inscriptions. </p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%"><spacer size="20" type="horizontal" />The same was also true in physics and psychology with You can perhaps see that the so-called Gestalt school and the notion of <i>bonne forme</i> whose function was to joinsphere, that old symbol for instance, a drop of water and more complicated ideas, and great psychologiststotality, and even the psychoanalysts are full of the idea of &quot;total personality.&quot; At any rate, it is always the unifying unity which is in the foregroundunsuitable. I have never understood this A [[torus]], for if I am a psychoanalyst I am also a manKlein bottle, and as a man my experience has shown me that the principal characteristic of my own human life and, I am surecross-cut surface, that of the people who are here&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and if anybody is not of able to receive such a cut. And this opinion I hope that he will raise his hand&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;diversity is that life is something which goes, very important as we say in French,<i> á la dérive</i>. Life goes down the river, from time to time touching a bank; staying for a while here and there. without understanding anything&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and it is explains many things about the principle of analysis that nobody understands anything structure of what happensmental disease. The idea of If one can symbolize the unifying unity of subject by this fundamental cut, in the human condition has always had same way one can show that a cut on me a torus corresponds to the effect of neurotic subject, and on a scandalous lie. </p><p style="textcross-align: justify; line-height: 150%"><spacer size="20" type="horizontal" />We may try cut surface to introduce another principle to understand these thingssort of mental disease. If we rarely try I will not explain this to understand things from the point of view of the unconsciousyou tonight, it is because but to end this difficult talk I must make the unconscious tells us something articulated in words and perhaps we could try to search for their principlefollowing precision.
I have only considered the beginning of the series of the integers, because it is an intermediary point between language and reality. [[Language]] is constituted by the same sort of unitary traits that I have used to explain the one and the one more. But this trait in language is not identical with the unitary trait, since in language we have a collection of differential traits. In other words, we can say that language is constituted by a set of signifiers&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;for example,<i> ba, ta, pa</i>) etc., etc.&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; a set which is finite. Each signifier is able to support the same process with regard to the subject, and it is very probable that the process of the integers is only a special case of this relation between signifiers. The definition of this collection of signifiers is that they constitute what I call the Other. The difference afforded by the existence of language is that each signifier (contrary to the unitary trait of the integer number) is, in most cases, not identical with itself&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;precisely because we have a collection of signifiers, and in this collection one signifier may or may not designate itself. This is well known and is the principle of Russell's [[paradox]]. If you take the set of all elements which are not members of themselves, the [[set]] that you constitute with such elements leads you to a paradox which, as you know, leads to a contradiction. In simple terms, this only means that in a universe of discourse nothing contains everything, and here you find again the gap that constitutes the subject. The [[subject]] is the introduction of a [[loss]] in [[reality]], yet nothing can introduce that, since by status [[reality]] is as full as possible. The notion of a [[loss]] is the effect afforded by the instance of the trait which is what, with the intervention of the [[letter]] you determine, places&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;say al, a2, a3&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and the places are spaces for a [[lack]]. When the [[subject]] takes the place of the [[lack]], a [[loss]] is introduced in the [[word]], and this is the definition of the [[subject]]. But to inscribe it, it is necessary to define it in a circle, what I call the [[otherness]], of the sphere of [[language]]. All that is [[language]] is lent from this [[otherness]] and this is why the [[subject]] is always a [[fading]] thing that runs under the [[chain]] of [[signifier]]s. For the definition of a [[signifier]] is that it represents a [[subject]] not for another [[subject]] but for another [[signifier]]. This is the only definition possible of the [[signifier]] as different from the [[sign]]. The [[sign]] is something that represents something for somebody, but the [[signifier]] is something that represents a [[subject]] for another [[signifier]]. The consequence is that the [[subject]] [[disappear]]s exactly as in the case of the two [[unitary trait]]s, while under the second [[signifier]] appears what is called [[meaning]] or [[signification]]; and then in sequence the other [[signifier]]s appear and other [[signification]]s.
I suggest you consider the unity in another light. Not a <i>unifying</i> unity but the countable unity one, two, three. After fifteen years I have taught my pupils to count at most up to five which is difficult (four is easier) and they have understood that much. But for tonight permit me to stay at two. Of course what we are dealing with here is the The question of the integer, and the question of integers [[desire]] is not a simple one as I think many people here know. To count, of course, is not difficult. It is only necessary to have, for instance, a certain number of sets and a one to-one correspondence. It is true for example that there are exactly as many people sitting in this room as there are seats. But it is necessary the [[fading]] [[subject]] yearns to have a collection composed find itself again by means of integers to constitute an integer, or what is called a natural number. It is, some sort of course, in part natural but only in encounter with this miraculous thing defined by the sense that we do not understand why it exists[[phantasm]]. Counting is not an empirical fact and In its endeavor it is impossible to deduce sustained by that which I call the act of counting from empirical data alone. Hume tried but Frege demonstrated perfectly the ineptitude of the attempt. The real difficulty lies [[lost object]] that I evoked in the fact that every integer is in itself a unit. If I take two as a unit, things are very enjoyable, men and women for instancebeginning&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;love plus unity! But after which is such a while it terrible thing for the imagination. That which is finishedproduced and maintained here, after these two there is nobodyand which in my vocabulary I call the [[object]], lower-case, perhaps [[a child]], but that is another level and to generate three well known by all [[psychoanalyst]]s as all [[psychoanalysis]] is another affair. When you try to read founded on the theories [[existence]] of mathematicians regarding numbers you find this peculiar [[object]]. But the formula &quot;n plus 1 relation between this [[bar]]red [[subject]] with this [[object]] (n + 1<i>[[a]]</i>)&quot; as is the basis of all the theories. It [[structure]] which is this question of always found in the &quot;one more&quot; that [[phantasm]] which supports [[desire]] in as much as [[desire]] is the key to the genesis of numbers and instead of this unifying unity only that constitutes two in the first case which I propose that you consider have called the real numerical genesis [[metonomy]] of twoall [[signification]].
 It is necessary that this two constitute the first integer which is not yet born as a number before the two appears. You have made this possible because the two is here to grant existence to the first one: put <i>two</i> in the place of <i>one</i> and consequently in the place of the <i>two</i> you see <i>three</i> appear. What we have here is something which I can call the <i>mark</i>. You already have something which is marked or something which is not marked. It is with the first mark that we have the status of the thing. It is exactly in this fashion that Frege explains the genesis of the number; the class which is characterized by no elements is the first class; you have one at the place of zero and afterward it is easy to understand how the place of one becomes the second place which makes place for two, three, and so on. The question of the two is for us the question of the subject. and here we reach a fact of psychoanalytical experience in as much as the two does not complete the one to make two, but must repeat the one to permit the one to exist. This first repetition is the only one necessary to explain the genesis of the number, and only one repetition is necessary to constitute the status of the subject. The unconscious subject is something that tends to repeat itself, but only one such repetition is necessary to constitute it. However, let us look more precisely at what is necessary for the second to repeat the first in order that we may have a repetition. This question cannot be answered too quickly. If you answer too quickly, you will answer that it is necessary that they are the same. In this case the principle of the two should be that of twins&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and why not triplets or quintuplets? In my day we used to teach children that they must not add, for instance, microphones with dictionaries; but this is absolutely absurd, because we would not have addition if we were not able to add microphones with dictionaries or as Lewis Carroll says, cabbages with kings. The sameness is not in things but in the <i>mark</i> which makes it possible to add things with no consideration as to their differences. The mark has the effect of rubbing out the difference, and this is the key to what happens to the subject, the unconscious subject in the repetition; because you know that this subject repeats something peculiarly significant, the subject is here, for instance, in this obscure thing that we call in some cases trauma, or exquisite pleasure. What happens? If the &quot;thing&quot; exists in this symbolic structure, if this unitary trait is decisive, the trait of the sameness is here. In order that the &quot;thing&quot; which is sought be here in you, it is necessary that the first trait be rubbed out because the trait itself is a modification. It is the taking away of all difference, and in this case, without the trait, the first &quot;thing:&quot; is simply lost. The key to this insistence in repetition is that in its essence repetition as repetition of the symbolical sameness is impossible. In any case, the subject is the effect of this repetition in as much as it necessitates the &quot;fading,&quot; the obliteration, of the first foundation of the subject, which is why the subject, by status, is always presented as a divided essence. The trait, I insist, is identical, but it assures the difference only of identity&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;not by effect of sameness or difference but by the difference of identity. This is easy to understand: as we say in French, <i>je vous numérotte</i>, I give you each a number; and this assures the fact that you are numerically different but nothing more than that.   What can we propose to intuition in order to show that the trait be found in something which is at the same time one or two? Consider the following diagram which I call an inverted eight, after a well-known figure: </p><p align="center" style="line-height: 150%"><img src="moebius.gif" width="111" height="75"></p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%">You can see that the line in this instance may be considered either as one or as two lines. This diagram can be considered the basis of a sort of essential inscription at the origin, in the knot which constitutes the subject. This goes much further than you might think at first, because you can search for the sort of surface able to receive such inscriptions. You can perhaps see that the sphere, that old symbol for totality, is unsuitable. A torus, a Klein bottle, a cross-cut surface, are able to receive such a cut. And this diversity is very important as it explains many things about the structure of mental disease. If one can symbolize the subject by this fundamental cut, in the same way one can show that a cut on a torus corresponds to the neurotic subject, and on a cross-cut surface to another sort of mental disease. I will not explain this to you tonight, but to end this difficult talk I must make the following precision.   I have only considered the beginning of the series of the integers, because it is an intermediary point between language and reality. Language is constituted by the same sort of unitary traits that I have used to explain the one and the one more. But this trait in language is not identical with the unitary trait, since in language we have a collection of differential traits. In other words, we can say that language is constituted by a set of signifiers&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;for example,<i> ba, ta, pa</i>) etc., etc.&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; a set which is finite. Each signifier is able to support the same process with regard to the subject, and it is very probable that the process of the integers is only a special case of this relation between signifiers. The definition of this collection of signifiers is that they constitute what I call the Other. The difference afforded by the existence of language is that each signifier (contrary to the unitary trait of the integer number) is, in most cases, not identical with itself&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;precisely because we have a collection of signifiers, and in this collection one signifier may or may not designate itself. This is well known and is the principle of Russell's paradox. If you take the set of all elements which are not members of themselves, the set that you constitute with such elements leads you to a paradox which, as you know, leads to a contradiction. In simple terms, this only means that in a universe of discourse nothing contains everything, and here you find again the gap that constitutes the subject. The subject is the introduction of a loss in reality, yet nothing can introduce that, since by status reality is as full as possible. The notion of a loss is the effect afforded by the instance of the trait which is what, with the intervention of the letter you determine, places&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;say al, a2, a3&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;and the places are spaces for a lack. When the subject takes the place of the lack, a loss is introduced in the word, and this is the definition of the subject. But to inscribe it, it is necessary to define it in a circle, what I call the otherness, of the sphere of language. All that is language is lent from this otherness and this is why the subject is always a fading thing that runs under the chain of signifiers. For the definition of a signifier is that it represents a subject not for another subject but for another signifier. This is the only definition possible of the signifier as different from the sign. The sign is something that represents something for somebody, but the signifier is something that represents a subject for another signifier. The consequence is that the subject disappears exactly as in the case of the two unitary traits, while under the second signifier appears what is called meaning or signification; and then in sequence the other signifiers appear and other significations.  The question of desire is that the fading subject yearns to find itself again by means of some sort of encounter with this miraculous thing defined by the phantasm. In its endeavor it is sustained by that which I call the lost object that I evoked in the beginning&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;which is such a terrible thing for the imagination. That which is produced and maintained here, and which in my vocabulary I call the object, lower-case, a, is well known by all psychoanalysts as all psychoanalysis is founded on the existence of this peculiar object. But the relation between this barred subject with this object (<i>a</i>) is the structure which is always found in the phantasm which supports desire in as much as desire is only that which I have called the metonomy of all signification. </p><p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%"><spacer size="20" type="horizontal" />In this brief presentation I have tried to show you what the question of the [[structure ]] is inside the [[psychoanalytical ]] [[reality]]. I have not, however, said anything about such dimensions as the [[imaginary ]] and the [[symbolical]]. It is, of course, absolutely essential to understand how the [[symbolic ]] [[order ]] can enter inside the<i>vécuvécu</i>, lived experienced, of [[mental ]] [[life]], but I cannot tonight put forth such an explanation. Consider, however, that which is at the same time the least known and the most certain fact about this [[mythical ]] [[subject ]] which is the sensible phase of the [[living ]] [[being]]: this fathomless thing capable of experiencing something between [[birth ]] and [[death]], capable of covering the whole spectrum of [[pain ]] and [[pleasure ]] in a [[word]], what in [[French ]] we call the <i>[[sujet ]] de la [[jouissance]]</i>. When I came here this evening I saw on the little neon sign the motto &quot;Enjoy Coca-Cola.&quot; It reminded me that in [[English]], I think, there is no term to designate precisely this enormous weight of [[meaning ]] which is in the [[French ]] [[word ]] <i>[[jouissance]]</i>&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp; or in the [[Latin ]] <i>[[fruor]]</i>. In the dictionary I looked up <i>[[jouir]]</i> and found &quot;to possess, to use&quot; but it is not that at all. If the [[living ]] [[being ]] is something at all thinkable, it will be above all as [[subject ]] of the <i>[[jouissance]]</i>; but this [[psychological ]] [[law ]] that we call the [[pleasure principle ]] (and which is only the [[principle ]] of [[displeasure]]) is very soon to create a [[barrier ]] to all <i>jouissance</i>. If I am enjoying myself a little too much, I begin to feel [[pain ]] and I moderate my pleasures[[pleasure]]s. The organism seems made to avoid too much <i>[[jouissance]]</i>. Probably we would all be as quiet as oysters if it were not for this curious organization which forces us to disrupt the [[barrier ]] of [[pleasure ]] or perhaps only makes us [[dream ]] of forcing and disrupting this barrier. All that is elaborated by the [[subjective ]] [[construction ]] on the scale of the [[signifier ]] in its relation to the [[Other ]] and which has its root in [[language ]] is only there to permit the full spectrum of [[desire ]] to allow us to approach, to test, this sort of [[forbidden ]] <i>[[jouissance]]</i> which is the only valuable [[meaning ]] that is offered to our [[life]].
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
[[Category:Works]]
[[Category:New]]
[[Category:HelpEdit]]
[[Category:Index]]
Root Admin, Bots, Bureaucrats, flow-bot, oversight, Administrators, Widget editors
24,654
edits

Navigation menu