Difference between revisions of "Reality Principle"

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"[[reality principle]]"  ([[Fr]]. ''[[principe de réalité]]'')
  
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==Sigmund Freud==
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According to [[Freud]], the [[psyche]] is at first regulated entirely by the [[pleasure principle]], which seeks to experience [[satisfaction]] via a [[hallucinatory]] [[cathexis]] of a [[memory]] of [[time|prior]] [[satisfaction]].
  
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However, the [[subject]] soon discovers that [[hallucination|hallucinating]] does not relieve his [[need]]s, and is thus forced "to form a conception of the real circumstances in the external world."<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.219.</ref>
  
According to [{Freud]], the [[psyche]] is at first regulated entirely by the [[pleasure principle]].
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A new "principle of mental functioning" is thus introduced (the "[[reality principle]]"), which modifies the [[pleasure principle]] and forces the [[subject]] to take more circuitous routes to [[satisfaction]].
  
The [[pleasure principle]] seeks to experience [[satisfaction]] via [[hallucination|hallucinatory]] [[cathexis]] of a [[memory]] of prior [[satisfaction]].
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Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[reality principle]] is still the [[satisfaction]] of the [[drive]]s, it can be said that "the substitution of the reality principle for the pleasure principle implies no deposing of the pleasure principle, but only a safeguarding of it."<ref>[[Freud|Freud, Sigmund]]. "Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.223</ref>
  
  
However, the [[subject]] soon discovers that [[hallucination|hallucinating]] does not fully [[satisfaction|satisfy]] his [[need]]s, and is thus forced "to form a conception of the real circumstances in the external world."<ref>Freud, 1911b: SE XII, 219</ref>
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==Jacques Lacan==
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From early on, [[Lacan]] is opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the reality principle."<ref>[[Lacan, Jacques]]. "Some reflections on the ego." ''Int. J. Psycho-Anal.'' Vol 34. 1953. pp. 11</ref>
  
[[Freud]] introduces the [[reality principle]] (''principe de rèalitè''), a new 'principle of mental functioning' which modifies the [[pleasure principle]] and forces the [[subject]] to take more circuitous routes to [[satisfaction]].
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That is, he rejects any account of [[human]] [[development]] based on an unproblematic notion of "[[reality]]" as an objective and self-evident given.
  
Since, however, the ultimate aim of the [[reality principle]] is still the [[satisfaction]] of the [[drive]]s.
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He emphasizes [[Freud]]'s position that the [[reality principle]] is still ultimately in the serve of the [[pleasure principle]].
  
[[Lacan]] is opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the Reality principle."<ref>1951b: ll</ref>
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<blockquote>"The reality principle is a delayed action pleasrue principle."<ref>{{S2}} p.60</ref></blockquote>
  
He rejects any account of [[human]] [[development]] based on an unproblematic notion of '[[reality]]' as an [[objective]] and self-evident given.  
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[[Lacan]] thus challenges the idea that the [[subject]] has access to an infallible means of distinguishing between [[reality]] and [[fantasy]].
  
[[Lacan]] (following [[Freud]]) argues that the [[reality principle]] is still ultimately in the service of the [[pleasure principle]]: "the reality principle is a delayed action pleasure principle."<ref>{{S2}} p.60</ref>
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<blockquote>"[R]eality isn't jus tthere so that we bump our heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of the pleasure principle leads us. In truth, we make reality out of pleasure."<ref>{{S7}} p.225</ref></blockquote>
 
 
[[Lacan]] thus challenges the idea that the [[subject]] has access to an infallible means of distinguishing between [[reality]] and [[fantasy]].
 
 
 
"Reality isn't just there so that we bump our heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of the pleasure principle leads us. In truth, we make reality out of pleasure."<ref>{{S7}} p.225</ref>
 
 
 
Together with the [[pleasure principle]], the [[reality principle]] is, according to [[Freud]], one of the two principles governing the workings of the [[psyche]].
 
 
 
The [[reality principle]] modifies the [[pleasure principle]] by regulating the [[instinct]]ive search for [[pleasure]].
 
 
 
Under its influence, the search for [[pleasure]] ceases to be immediate as momentary and uncertain [[pleasure]]s are renounced in order to gain a more assured [[pleasure]] at a later [[stage]] (deferred gratification).
 
 
 
The quest for [[pleasure]] is thus modified so as to make it conform to the conditions imposed by [[external]] [[realities]].
 
The [[religious]] doctrine which holds that those who renounce earthly [[pleasure]]s can expect to be rewarded in the afterlife is viewed by [[Freud] as a [[projection]] of the [[reality principle]].
 
 
 
Respectively, the [[desire]] for immediate gratification vs. the [[deferral]] of that gratification.
 
Quite simply, the [[pleasure principle]] drives one to seek [[pleasure]] and to avoid [[pain]].
 
However, as one grows up, one begins to learn the need sometimes to endure [[pain]] and to defer gratification because of the exigencies and obstacles of [[reality]]:
 
 
 
"An ego thus educated has become 'reasonable'; it no longer lets itself be governed by the pleasure principle, but obeys the reality principle, which also at bottom seeks to obtain pleasure, but pleasure which is assured through taking account of reality, even though it is pleasure postponed and diminished."<ref>Introductory Lectures 16.357</ref>
 
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
* [[Pleasure principle]]
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* [[Desire]]
* [[pleasure]]
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* [[Fantasy]]
* [[desire]]
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* [[Pleasure]]
* ''[[jouissance]]''
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* [[Pleasure Principle]]
* [[reality]]
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* [[Reality]]
 
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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[[Category:Real]]
 
[[Category:Real]]
 
[[Category:Symbolic]]
 
[[Category:Symbolic]]
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[[Category:Dictionary]]

Revision as of 07:34, 30 July 2006

"reality principle" (Fr. principe de réalité)

Sigmund Freud

According to Freud, the psyche is at first regulated entirely by the pleasure principle, which seeks to experience satisfaction via a hallucinatory cathexis of a memory of prior satisfaction.

However, the subject soon discovers that hallucinating does not relieve his needs, and is thus forced "to form a conception of the real circumstances in the external world."[1]

A new "principle of mental functioning" is thus introduced (the "reality principle"), which modifies the pleasure principle and forces the subject to take more circuitous routes to satisfaction.

Since, however, the ultimate aim of the reality principle is still the satisfaction of the drives, it can be said that "the substitution of the reality principle for the pleasure principle implies no deposing of the pleasure principle, but only a safeguarding of it."[2]


Jacques Lacan

From early on, Lacan is opposed to what he calls "a naive conception of the reality principle."[3]

That is, he rejects any account of human development based on an unproblematic notion of "reality" as an objective and self-evident given.

He emphasizes Freud's position that the reality principle is still ultimately in the serve of the pleasure principle.

"The reality principle is a delayed action pleasrue principle."[4]

Lacan thus challenges the idea that the subject has access to an infallible means of distinguishing between reality and fantasy.

"[R]eality isn't jus tthere so that we bump our heads up against the false paths along which the functioning of the pleasure principle leads us. In truth, we make reality out of pleasure."[5]

See Also

References

  1. Freud, Sigmund. "Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.219.
  2. Freud, Sigmund. "Formulations on the Two Principles of Mental Functioning." SE XII. 215. 1911. p.223
  3. Lacan, Jacques. "Some reflections on the ego." Int. J. Psycho-Anal. Vol 34. 1953. pp. 11
  4. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book II. The Ego in Freud's Theory and in the Technique of Psychoanalysis, 1954-55. Trans. Sylvana Tomaselli. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge Unviersity Press, 1988. p.60
  5. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p.225