Difference between revisions of "Sexual position"
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==Lacan on Sexual Difference== | ==Lacan on Sexual Difference== | ||
| − | Following [[Freud]], [[Lacan]] also engages with the problem of how the human infant becomes a [[sexed subject]]. | + | Following [[Freud]], [[Lacan]] also engages with the problem of how the [[human]] [[infant]] becomes a [[sexed subject]]. |
| − | For [[Lacan]], [[masculinity]] and [[femininity]] are not [[biological]] essences but [[symbolic position]]s, and the assumption of one of these two positions is fundamental to the construction of [[[subjectivity]]; the [[subject]] is essentially a [[sexed subject]]. | + | For [[Lacan]], [[masculinity]] and [[femininity]] are not [[biological]] essences but [[symbolic position]]s, and the assumption of one of these two positions is fundamental to the [[construction]] of [[[subjectivity]]; the [[subject]] is essentially a [[sexed subject]]. |
"[[Man]]" and "[[woman]]" are [[signifier]]s that stand for these two [[subjective position]]s.<ref>{{S20}} p.34</ref> | "[[Man]]" and "[[woman]]" are [[signifier]]s that stand for these two [[subjective position]]s.<ref>{{S20}} p.34</ref> | ||
==Becoming a Sexed Subject== | ==Becoming a Sexed Subject== | ||
| − | For both [[Freud]] and [[Lacan]], the child is at first ignorant of [[sexual difference]] and so cannot take up a [[sexual position]]. | + | For both [[Freud]] and [[Lacan]], the [[child]] is at first ignorant of [[sexual difference]] and so cannot take up a [[sexual position]]. |
It is only when the child discovers [[sexual difference]] in the [[castration complex]] that he can begin to take up a [[sexual position]]. | It is only when the child discovers [[sexual difference]] in the [[castration complex]] that he can begin to take up a [[sexual position]]. | ||
| − | Both [[Freud]] and [[Lacan]] see this process of taking up a sexual position as closely connected with the [[Oedipus complex]], but they differ on the precise nature of the connection. | + | Both [[Freud]] and [[Lacan]] see this [[process]] of taking up a [[sexual]] position as closely connected with the [[Oedipus complex]], but they differ on the precise [[nature]] of the connection. |
For [[Freud]], the [[subject]]'s [[sexual position]] is determined by the sex of the parent with whom the [[subject]] [[identifies]] in the [[Oedipus complex]] (if the [[subject]] [[identifies]] with the [[father]], he takes up a [[masculine]] [[position]]; [[identification]] with the [[mother]] entails the assumption of a [[feminine]] [[position]]). | For [[Freud]], the [[subject]]'s [[sexual position]] is determined by the sex of the parent with whom the [[subject]] [[identifies]] in the [[Oedipus complex]] (if the [[subject]] [[identifies]] with the [[father]], he takes up a [[masculine]] [[position]]; [[identification]] with the [[mother]] entails the assumption of a [[feminine]] [[position]]). | ||
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For [[Lacan]], however, the [[Oedipus complex]] always involves a [[symbolic]] [[identification]] with the [[Father]], and hence [[Oedipus]] [[identification]] cannot determine [[sexual position]]. | For [[Lacan]], however, the [[Oedipus complex]] always involves a [[symbolic]] [[identification]] with the [[Father]], and hence [[Oedipus]] [[identification]] cannot determine [[sexual position]]. | ||
| − | According to [[Lacan]], then, it is not [[identification]] but the [[subject]]'s relationship with the [[phallus]] which determines [[sexual position]]. | + | According to [[Lacan]], then, it is not [[identification]] but the [[subject]]'s [[relationship]] with the [[phallus]] which determines [[sexual position]]. |
==="Having" or "Not Having" the Phallus=== | ==="Having" or "Not Having" the Phallus=== | ||
This relationship can either be one of "having" or "not having"; [[men]] have the [[symbolic]] [[phallus]], and [[women]] don't (or, to be more precise, [[men]] are "not without having it" [''ils ne sont pas sans l'avoir'']). | This relationship can either be one of "having" or "not having"; [[men]] have the [[symbolic]] [[phallus]], and [[women]] don't (or, to be more precise, [[men]] are "not without having it" [''ils ne sont pas sans l'avoir'']). | ||
| − | The assumption of a sexual position is fundamental a symbolic act, and the difference between the sexes can only be conceived of on the symbolic plane.<ref>{{S4}} p.153</ref> | + | The assumption of a sexual position is fundamental a symbolic act, and the [[difference]] between the [[sexes]] can only be conceived of on [[the symbolic]] plane.<ref>{{S4}} p.153</ref> |
| − | <blockquote>It is insofar as the function of man and woman is symbolized, it is insofar as it's literally uprooted from the domain of the imaginary and situated in the domain of the symbolic, that any normal, completed sexual position is realized.<ref>{{S3}} p.177</ref></blockquote> | + | <blockquote>It is insofar as the function of man and woman is [[symbolized]], it is insofar as it's literally uprooted from the [[domain]] of the [[imaginary]] and situated in the domain of the symbolic, that any normal, completed sexual position is realized.<ref>{{S3}} p.177</ref></blockquote> |
Latest revision as of 23:05, 20 May 2019
Contents
Lacan on Sexual Difference
Following Freud, Lacan also engages with the problem of how the human infant becomes a sexed subject.
For Lacan, masculinity and femininity are not biological essences but symbolic positions, and the assumption of one of these two positions is fundamental to the construction of [[[subjectivity]]; the subject is essentially a sexed subject.
"Man" and "woman" are signifiers that stand for these two subjective positions.[1]
Becoming a Sexed Subject
For both Freud and Lacan, the child is at first ignorant of sexual difference and so cannot take up a sexual position.
It is only when the child discovers sexual difference in the castration complex that he can begin to take up a sexual position.
Both Freud and Lacan see this process of taking up a sexual position as closely connected with the Oedipus complex, but they differ on the precise nature of the connection.
For Freud, the subject's sexual position is determined by the sex of the parent with whom the subject identifies in the Oedipus complex (if the subject identifies with the father, he takes up a masculine position; identification with the mother entails the assumption of a feminine position).
For Lacan, however, the Oedipus complex always involves a symbolic identification with the Father, and hence Oedipus identification cannot determine sexual position.
According to Lacan, then, it is not identification but the subject's relationship with the phallus which determines sexual position.
"Having" or "Not Having" the Phallus
This relationship can either be one of "having" or "not having"; men have the symbolic phallus, and women don't (or, to be more precise, men are "not without having it" [ils ne sont pas sans l'avoir]).
The assumption of a sexual position is fundamental a symbolic act, and the difference between the sexes can only be conceived of on the symbolic plane.[2]
It is insofar as the function of man and woman is symbolized, it is insofar as it's literally uprooted from the domain of the imaginary and situated in the domain of the symbolic, that any normal, completed sexual position is realized.[3]
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre XX. Encore, 1972-73. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1975. p.34
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p.153
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.177
