Difference between revisions of "Point de capiton"
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The [[French]] term ''[[point de capiton]]'' is variously translated in [[English]] editions of [[Lacan]]'s work as '[[quilting point]]' or '[[anchoring point]]'. | The [[French]] term ''[[point de capiton]]'' is variously translated in [[English]] editions of [[Lacan]]'s work as '[[quilting point]]' or '[[anchoring point]]'. | ||
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The [[upholstery button]] is an [[anchoring point]] on a quilt which "prevents a shapeless mass of stuffing from moving too freely about.<ref>Bowie, Malcolm. 1991. p.74</ref> | The [[upholstery button]] is an [[anchoring point]] on a quilt which "prevents a shapeless mass of stuffing from moving too freely about.<ref>Bowie, Malcolm. 1991. p.74</ref> | ||
| − | In the same way, the [[point de capiton]] is a point ([[signifier]]) that fixes the [[meaning]] inside an [[ideological]] field, stops the [[meaning]] from sliding about. | + | In the same way, the ''[[point de capiton]]'' is a point ([[signifier]]) that fixes the [[meaning]] inside an [[ideological]] field, stops the [[meaning]] from sliding about. |
| − | In the same way, the [[point de capiton]] is a point at which "signified and signifier are knotted together."<ref>{{S3}} p.268</ref> | + | In the same way, the ''[[point de capiton]]'' is a point at which "signified and signifier are knotted together."<ref>{{S3}} p.268</ref> |
The [[signifiers]] or [[signifying chain]] are unstable and liable to [[slippage]]s of [[meaning]]. | The [[signifiers]] or [[signifying chain]] are unstable and liable to [[slippage]]s of [[meaning]]. | ||
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This helps to explain how it is that in the [[psychotic]] experience, "the signifier and the signified present themselves in a completely divided form."<ref>{{S3}} p.268</ref>. | This helps to explain how it is that in the [[psychotic]] experience, "the signifier and the signified present themselves in a completely divided form."<ref>{{S3}} p.268</ref>. | ||
| − | The [[point de capiton]] is thus the point in the [[signifying chain]] at which "the signifier stops the otherwise endless movement of the signification" and produces the necessary [[illusion]] of a fixed [[meaning]].<ref>{{E}} p.303</ref> | + | The ''[[point de capiton]]'' is thus the point in the [[signifying chain]] at which "the signifier stops the otherwise endless movement of the signification" and produces the necessary [[illusion]] of a fixed [[meaning]].<ref>{{E}} p.303</ref> |
For [[Lacan]] the link between [[signifier]] and signified is so precarious that whereas [[Saussure]] saw the whole [[system]] as more or less grounded, [[Lacan]] sees only occasional points of [[stability]]. | For [[Lacan]] the link between [[signifier]] and signified is so precarious that whereas [[Saussure]] saw the whole [[system]] as more or less grounded, [[Lacan]] sees only occasional points of [[stability]]. | ||
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==Diachrony and Synchrony== | ==Diachrony and Synchrony== | ||
| − | Since the [[signifying chain]] has both a [[diachronic]] and a [[synchronic]] dimension, so also does the [[point de capiton]]: | + | Since the [[signifying chain]] has both a [[diachronic]] and a [[synchronic]] dimension, so also does the ''[[point de capiton]]'': |
===Diachrony=== | ===Diachrony=== | ||
| − | 1. The [[diachronic]] dimension of the [[point de capiton]] lies in the fact that [[communication]] is always a [[retroactive]] effect of [[punctuation]]. | + | 1. The [[diachronic]] dimension of the ''[[point de capiton]]'' lies in the fact that [[communication]] is always a [[retroactive]] effect of [[punctuation]]. |
It is only when the sentence is completed that the sense of the first words is determined [[retroactively]]. | It is only when the sentence is completed that the sense of the first words is determined [[retroactively]]. | ||
| − | This function is illustrated in the elementary cell of the [[graph of desire]], in which the [[point de capiton]] is the leftmost point of intersection between the vector S-S' and the vector A-S. | + | This function is illustrated in the elementary cell of the [[graph of desire]], in which the ''[[point de capiton]]'' is the leftmost point of intersection between the vector S-S' and the vector A-S. |
===Synchrony=== | ===Synchrony=== | ||
2. The [[synchronic]] aspect is [[metaphor]], by which the [[signifier]] crosses the [[bar]] into the [[signified]]. | 2. The [[synchronic]] aspect is [[metaphor]], by which the [[signifier]] crosses the [[bar]] into the [[signified]]. | ||
| − | "The [[synchronic]] [[structure]] (of the [[point de capiton]]) is more hidden, and it is this [[structure]] that takes us to the source. It is [[metaphor]]."<ref>{{E}} p.303</ref>. | + | "The [[synchronic]] [[structure]] (of the ''[[point de capiton]]'') is more hidden, and it is this [[structure]] that takes us to the source. It is [[metaphor]]."<ref>{{E}} p.303</ref>. |
==Ideology== | ==Ideology== | ||
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How does an [[ideology]] maintain its consistency? | How does an [[ideology]] maintain its consistency? | ||
What keeps of [[ideological]] field of [[meaning]] consistent? | What keeps of [[ideological]] field of [[meaning]] consistent? | ||
| − | Any given [[ideological]] field is "quilted" by the [[point de capiton]] | + | Any given [[ideological]] field is "quilted" by the ''[[point de capiton]]'' |
A point de capiton unifies an ideological field and provides it with an identity. | A point de capiton unifies an ideological field and provides it with an identity. | ||
| − | What is at issue in the conflict of [[ideologies]] is precisely the [[point de capiton]]. | + | What is at issue in the conflict of [[ideologies]] is precisely the ''[[point de capiton]]''. |
[[Signifiers]] such as "[[freedom]]", "[[democracy]]", "[[human rights]]," etc. are open-ended. | [[Signifiers]] such as "[[freedom]]", "[[democracy]]", "[[human rights]]," etc. are open-ended. | ||
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For example, a [[right-wing]] [[interpretation]] of the word "[[freedom]]" might use it to designate the [[freedom]] to speculate on the [[market]], whereas a [[left-wing]] [[interpretation]] of it might use it designate [[freedom]] from the inequalities of the [[market]]. | For example, a [[right-wing]] [[interpretation]] of the word "[[freedom]]" might use it to designate the [[freedom]] to speculate on the [[market]], whereas a [[left-wing]] [[interpretation]] of it might use it designate [[freedom]] from the inequalities of the [[market]]. | ||
| − | The word "[[freedom]]" therefore does not mean the same thing in all possible worlds: what pins its [[meaning]] down is the [[point de capiton]]. | + | The word "[[freedom]]" therefore does not mean the same thing in all possible worlds: what pins its [[meaning]] down is the ''[[point de capiton]]''. |
==Imaginary== | ==Imaginary== | ||
| − | Perhaps the most important feature of the [[point de capiton]] is that the [[stability]] it provides is, however necessary, an [[illusion]]. | + | Perhaps the most important feature of the ''[[point de capiton]]'' is that the [[stability]] it provides is, however necessary, an [[illusion]]. |
| − | The [[point de capiton]] is an instance of [[imaginary]] [[identification]] disrupting the integrity and [[rationality]] of the [[symbolic]] [[order]] itself. | + | The ''[[point de capiton]]'' is an instance of [[imaginary]] [[identification]] disrupting the integrity and [[rationality]] of the [[symbolic]] [[order]] itself. |
Though these disruptions are strictly speaking inimical to the [[symbolic]] [[order]], they are also vital to its [[existence]] as a field for producing [[meaning]], for such disruptions serve to anchor the [[signifying chain]] and keep it from devolving into a [[psychotic]] process of pure [[linguistic]] [[self-referentiality]] without even the [[illusion]] of [[external]] reference. | Though these disruptions are strictly speaking inimical to the [[symbolic]] [[order]], they are also vital to its [[existence]] as a field for producing [[meaning]], for such disruptions serve to anchor the [[signifying chain]] and keep it from devolving into a [[psychotic]] process of pure [[linguistic]] [[self-referentiality]] without even the [[illusion]] of [[external]] reference. | ||
Revision as of 10:13, 26 June 2006
The French term point de capiton is variously translated in English editions of Lacan's work as 'quilting point' or 'anchoring point'.
To avoid the confusion resulting from this variety of translation, the term has here been left in the original French.
Literally an "upholstery button" it has also been translated as "anchoring point".
It literally designates an upholstery button, the analogy being that just as upholstery buttons are places where "the mattress-maker's needle has worked hard to prevent a shapeless mass of stuffing from moving too freely about,[1]
The upholstery button is an anchoring point on a quilt which "prevents a shapeless mass of stuffing from moving too freely about.[2]
In the same way, the point de capiton is a point (signifier) that fixes the meaning inside an ideological field, stops the meaning from sliding about.
In the same way, the point de capiton is a point at which "signified and signifier are knotted together."[3]
The signifiers or signifying chain are unstable and liable to slippages of meaning.
Lacan introduces the term in his 1955-6 seminar on the psychoses to account for the fact that despite the continual slippage of the signified under the signifier, thereare nevertheless in the normal (neurotic) subject certain fundamental "attachment points" between the signified and the signifier where this slippage is temporarily halted.
A certain minimum number of these points are "necessary for a person to be called normal," and "when they are not established, or when they give way'" the result is psychosis.[4]
This helps to explain how it is that in the psychotic experience, "the signifier and the signified present themselves in a completely divided form."[5].
The point de capiton is thus the point in the signifying chain at which "the signifier stops the otherwise endless movement of the signification" and produces the necessary illusion of a fixed meaning.[6]
For Lacan the link between signifier and signified is so precarious that whereas Saussure saw the whole system as more or less grounded, Lacan sees only occasional points of stability.
These points of stability are referred to as points de capiton, or "quilting points," points "by which the signifier stops the otherwise endless movement to produce "the necessary illusion of a fixed meaning."
Contents
Diachrony and Synchrony
Since the signifying chain has both a diachronic and a synchronic dimension, so also does the point de capiton:
Diachrony
1. The diachronic dimension of the point de capiton lies in the fact that communication is always a retroactive effect of punctuation.
It is only when the sentence is completed that the sense of the first words is determined retroactively.
This function is illustrated in the elementary cell of the graph of desire, in which the point de capiton is the leftmost point of intersection between the vector S-S' and the vector A-S.
Synchrony
2. The synchronic aspect is metaphor, by which the signifier crosses the bar into the signified.
"The synchronic structure (of the point de capiton) is more hidden, and it is this structure that takes us to the source. It is metaphor."[7].
Ideology
The signifiers or signifying chain are unstable and liable to slippages of meaning.
How does an ideology maintain its consistency? What keeps of ideological field of meaning consistent? Any given ideological field is "quilted" by the point de capiton A point de capiton unifies an ideological field and provides it with an identity.
What is at issue in the conflict of ideologies is precisely the point de capiton.
Signifiers such as "freedom", "democracy", "human rights," etc. are open-ended. Their meanings can slide about depending on the context of their use.
For example, a right-wing interpretation of the word "freedom" might use it to designate the freedom to speculate on the market, whereas a left-wing interpretation of it might use it designate freedom from the inequalities of the market.
The word "freedom" therefore does not mean the same thing in all possible worlds: what pins its meaning down is the point de capiton.
Imaginary
Perhaps the most important feature of the point de capiton is that the stability it provides is, however necessary, an illusion.
The point de capiton is an instance of imaginary identification disrupting the integrity and rationality of the symbolic order itself.
Though these disruptions are strictly speaking inimical to the symbolic order, they are also vital to its existence as a field for producing meaning, for such disruptions serve to anchor the signifying chain and keep it from devolving into a psychotic process of pure linguistic self-referentiality without even the illusion of external reference.
See Also
- Signifyin chain
- Psychosis
- Signifier/Signified
- Meaning
- Subject
- Interpretation
- Synchronic/Diachronic
- Ideology
- Illusion
References
- ↑ Bowie, 1991: 74
- ↑ Bowie, Malcolm. 1991. p.74
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.268
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.268-9
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.268
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.303
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.303
