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{{Top}}sublimate|sublimation (sublimation) In Freud's work, sublimation is a process{{Bottom}}

=====Sigmund Freud=====In [[Freud]]'s [[work]], [[sublimation]] is a [[process]] in which the [[libido ]] is channelled into apparently non-[[sexual ]] activities such asartistic creation and [[intellectual]] work. [[Sublimation]] thus functions as a socially acceptable escape valve for [[excess]] sexual [[energy]] which would otherwise have to be [[discharged]] in socially unacceptable forms ([[perverse]] [[behavior]]) or in [[neurotic]] [[symptom]]s. The [[logical]] conclusion of such a view is that [[complete]] [[sublimation]] would mean the end of all [[perversion]] and all [[neurosis]]. However, many points remain unclear in [[Freud]]'s account of [[sublimation]].

artistic creation and intellectual work=====Jacques Lacan=====[[Lacan]]s takes up the [[concept]] of [[sublimation]] in his [[seminar]] of 1959-60. Sublimation thus functions He follows [[Freud]] in emphasizing the fact that the element of [[social]] [[recognition]] is central to the concept, since it is only insofar as athe [[drive]]s are diverted towards this [[dimension]] of shared social values that they can be said to be sublimated.<ref>{{S7}} p. 144</ref> It is this dimension of shared social values which allows [[Lacan]] to tie in the concept of [[sublimation]] with his [[discussion]] of [[ethics]].<ref>{{S7}} p. 144</ref>

otherwise have to be discharged =====Perversion=====[[Freud]]'s account implies that [[perversion|perverse sexuality]] as a [[form]] of direct [[satisfaction]] of the [[drive]] is possible, and that [[sublimation]] is only necessary because this direct form in socially unacceptable forms (perverseprohibited by [[society]].

behaviour) or in neurotic symptoms. The logical conclusion [[Lacan]] however rejects the cocnept of such a view zero degree of satisfaction, arguing that [[perversion]] isnot simply a brute [[natural]] means of discharging the [[libido]], but a highly [[structure]]d relation to the [[drive]]s which are already, in themselves, [[linguistic]] rather than [[biological]] forces.

Whereas [[Freud]] believed that complete [[sublimation would mean ]] might be possible for some particularly refined or cultured [[people]], [[Lacan]] argues that "complete sublimation is not possible for the end of all perversion and all[[individual]]."<ref>{{S7}} p.91</ref>

neurosis=====Object=====In [[Freud]]'s account, [[sublimation]] involves the redirection of the [[drive]] to a different (non-sexual) object. However, many points remain unclear in FreudIn [[Lacan]]'s account , however, what changes is not the object but its [[position]] in the [[structure]] of[[fantasy]].

In [[other]] [[words]], [[sublimation]] does not involve directing the [[drive]] to a different [[object]], but rather changing the [[nature]] of the [[object]] to which the [[drive]] was already directed, a "[[change]] of object in itself," something which is made possible because the [[drive]] is "already deeply marked by the articulation of the [[signifier]]."<ref>{{S7}} p. 293</ref>

Lacan takes up The [[sublime]] quality of an [[object]] is thus not due to any intrinsic property of the concept [[object]] itself, but simply an effect of sublimation the [[object]]'s position in his seminar the [[symbolic]] [[structure]] of 1959-60[[fantasy]]. He

=====Death Drive=====While [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud ]] in emphasising linking [[sublimation]] with [[creativity]] and [[art]], he complicates this by also linking it with the fact that the element of social recognition is[[death drive]].<ref>{{S4}} p.431</ref>

central to the concept, since it is only insofar as the drives are diverted towards socially valued objects that they can be said to be sublimated (S7, 107). It is  this dimension of shared social values which allows Lacan to tie in the concept  of sublimation with his discussion of ethics (see S7, 144). However, Lacan's  account of sublimation also differs from Freud's on a number of points.  1. Freud's account implies that perverse sexuality as a form of direct  satisfaction of the drive is possible, and that sublimation is only necessary  because this direct form is prohibited by society. Lacan however rejects the  concept of a zero degree of satisfaction (see éiûek, 1991: 83-4), arguing that perversion not simply a brute natural means of discharging the libido, but a highly structured relation to the drives which are already, in themselves, linguistic rather than biological forces.  2. Whereas Freud believed that complete sublimation might be possible for  some particularly refined or cultured people, Lacan argues that 'complete  sublimation is not possible for the individual' (S7, 91).  3. In Freud's account, sublimation involves the redirection of the drive to a  different (non-sexual) object. In Lacan's account, however, what changes is  not the object but its position in the structure of fantasy. In other words,  sublimation does not involve directing the drive to a different object, but  rather changing the nature of the object to which the drive was already directed, a 'change of object in itself', something which is made possible because the drive is 'already deeply marked by the articulation of the signifier' (S7, 293). The sublime quality of an object is thus not due to any intrinsic property of the object itself, but simply an effect of the object's position in the symbolic structure of fantasy. To be more specific, sublimation relocates an object in the position of the THING. The Lacanian formula for sublimation is thus that 'it raises an object . . . to the dignity of the Thing' (S7, l 12).  4. While Lacan follows Freud in linking sublimation with creativity and ART, he complicates this by also linking it with the DEATH DRIVE (S4, 431). Several  reasons can be adduced to explain this. # Firstly, the concept of the [[death drive ]] is itself seen as a product of [[Freud]]'s own [[sublimation (."<ref>{{S7, }} p.212). </ref># Secondly, the [[death drive ]] is not only a '"[[destruction ]] drive', " but also '"a will to create crate from zero' (."<ref>{{S7, }} p.212-13). 3</ref># Thirdly, the [[sublime object]], through [[being ]] elevated to the dignity of the [[Thing]], exerts a [[power ]] of [[fascination ]] which leads ultimately to [[death ]] and destruction. == def == The redirection of sexual desire to "higher" aims. Freud saw sublimation as a protection against illness, since it allowed the subject to respond to sexual frustration (lack of gratification of the sexual impulse) by taking a new aim that, though still "genetically" (Introductory Lectures 16.345) related to the sexual impulse, is no longer properly sexual but social. In this way, civilization has been able to place "social aims higher than the sexual ones, which are at bottom self-interested" (Introductory Lectures 16.345). This is not to say that the "free mobility of the libido" (Introductory Lectures 16.346) is ever fully contained: "sublimation is never able to deal with more than a certain fraction of libido" (Introductory Lectures 16.346).

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