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Symbolic

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symbolic ({| align="[[right]]" style="line-height:2.0em;text-align:right;margin-left: 10px;background-color:#fcfcfc;border:1px solid #aaa" | [[French]]: ''[[symbolique) ]]''|}
The term 'symbolic' appears in adjectival form in Lacan's earliest psychoanalytic writings.<ref> (e.g. Lacan, 1936)</ref> In these early works the term implies references to symbolic logic and to the equations used in mathematical physics.<ref> (Ec, 79)<.ref> In 1948 symptoms are said to have a 'symbolic meaning'.<ref>(E, 10)</ref> By 1950, the term has acquired anthropological overtones, as when Lacan praises Marcel Mauss for having shown that 'the structures of society are symbolic'.<ref>(Ec, 132)</ref>
These different nuances are combined into a single category in 1953 when Lacan begins to use the term 'symbolic' as a noun. It now becomes one of the three [[orders]] that remain central throughout the rest of Lacan's work. Of these three orders, the symbolic is the most crucial one for psychoanalysis; psychoanalysts are essentially 'practitioners of the symbolic function'.<ref> (E, 72)</ref> In speaking of 'the symbolic function', Lacan makes it clear that his concept of the symbolic order owes much to the anthropological work of Claude LÈvi-Strauss (from whom the phrase 'symbolic function' is taken).<ref> see LÈvi-Strauss, 1949a: 203</ref> In particular, Lacan takes from LÈvi-Strauss the idea that the social world is structured by certain laws which regulate kinship relations and the exchange of gifts.<ref>(see also Mauss, 1923)</ref> The concept of the gift, and that of a circuit of exchange, are thus fundamental to Lacan's concept of the symbolic. <ref>(S4, 153-4, 182)</ref>
Since In [[Lacan]]ian [[psychoanalysis]], the most basic form of exchange "[[symbolic]]" is communication itself (the exchange of words, the gift of speech);<ref> S4, 189</ref> and since the concepts one of [[lawthree]] [[order]] and of s that [[structure]] are unthinkable without [[languagehuman]] [[existence]], the symbolic is essentially a linguistic dimension. Any aspect of [[others]] [[being]] the psychoanalytic experience which has a linguistic structure thus pertains to [[imaginary]] and the symbolic order[[real]].
However==History==The term "[[symbolic]]" appears in adjectival [[form]] in Lacan's earliest [[psychoanalytic]] writings. The adjectival "[[symbolic]]" is often used by [[Lacan]] in a fairly conventional [[sense]], Lacan does not simply equate but in the symbolic order with language.On 1950s he begins to use the contrary[[word]] as a substantive, language involves imaginary and real dimensions in addition to its it rapidly becomes the cornerstone of his [[theory]]: the [[subject]]'s [[relationship]] with the [[symbolic dimension]] is the heart of [[psychoanalysis]]. The symbolic dimension It now becomes one of language is the three [[orders]] that remain central throughout the rest of Lacan's [[work]]. Of these three orders, the symbolic is the most crucial one for psychoanalysis; [[signifierpsychoanalysts]]; a dimension in which elements have no positive existence but which are constituted purely by virtue essentially 'practitioners of their mutual differencesthe symbolic function'.<ref>{{E}} p.72</ref>
The symbolic is also ==Structuralism==Lacan incorporates into [[psychoanalysis]] the [[linguistics]] of [[Saussure]] and the realm [[anthropology]] of radical alterity which [[Lévi-Strauss]]. [[Lacan refers ]]'s [[concept]] of the [[symbolic|symbolic order]] owes much to as the anthropological work of [[OtherClaude Lévi-Strauss]].<ref>[[Claude Lévi-Strauss|Lévi-Strauss, Claude]]. The 1949a: 203</ref> In [[particular]], [[Lacan]] takes from [[Claude Lévi-Strauss|Lévi-Strauss]] the [[idea]] that the [[social]] [[unconsciousworld]] is [[structured]] by certain [[law]]s which regulate kinship relations and the discourse [[exchange]] of gifts. In his work on kinship [[Lévi-Strauss]] argues that any culture can be seen as a set of this Other[[symbolic]] [[structure]]s such as the rules governing kinship and alliance, [[language]] and thus belongs wholly to the symbolic order[[art]]. The symbolic is He also demonstrates that in [[primitive]] societies the realm [[ritual]] exchange of the Law which regulates desire gifts has an important [[role]] in the Oedipus complexcreation and perpetuation of social [[stability]]. It is The application of [[Saussure]]'s theory of the realm of culture [[sign]] allows these structures and exchanges to be [[analyzed]] as opposed to the imaginary order exchanges of nature[[signifier]]s. Whereas the imaginary is characterised by dual relations, the The emergence of [[symbolic ]] [[structure]]s is characterised by triadic structures, because an essential feature of the intersubjective relationship is always 'mediated' by a third term, the big Otherhuman transition from [[nature]] to [[culture]].
The symbolic order is also ==Culture==Adapting [[Lévi-Strauss]]'s study of how kinship rules and exogamy govern exchanges between human groups to the realm field of [[deathpsychoanalysis]], [[Lacan]] now describes the [[Oedipus complex]] as a [[process]] which imposes [[symbolic]] [[structure]]s on [[sexuality]] and allows the [[subject]] to emerge. [[Pre-oedipal|Pre-oedipal sexuality]] is likened to a [[state]] of [[absencenature]] and unbridled sexuality; the role of the [[lackName-of-the-Father]]. The symbolic is both to disrupt the [[pleasure principledual relation]] ship in which regulates the distance from [[child]] tries to fuse with theThing[[mother]] in an incestuous union, and to establish a legitimate line of descent ("son of...", "daughter of..."). [[Culture]] and the [[symbolic]] are thuse imposed upon [[nature]]. The [[subject]] gains access to the [[symbolic]], to a [[name]] and a lineage, but does so at the cost of a [[death drivesymbolic|symbolic castration]] which goes 'beyond . Although the pleasure principle' by means exchange of repetition;<ref>S2, 210</ref> [[signifier]]s in fact[[speech]] is an obvious example of [[symbolic|symbolic exchange]], [[Lacan]]'the death drive s [[symbolic]] is only not simply synonymous with [[language]], and should be [[understood]] as comprising the mask entire [[domain]] of the symbolic order'[[culture]].<ref> S2, 326</ref>
The symbolic order is completely autonomous: it is not a superstructure determined by biology or genetics. It is completely contingent with respect to ==Language==Since the real: 'There most basic form of exchange is no biological reason, and in particular no genetic one, to account for exogamy. In [[communication]] itself (the human order we are dealing with the complete emergence exchange of a new function[[words]], encompassing the whole order in its entirety'.[[gift]] of [[speech]]);<ref> (S2, 29{{S4}} p. 189</ref> Thus while and since the [[concepts]] of [[law]] and of [[structure]] are unthinkable without [[language]], the [[symbolic may seem ]] is essentially a [[linguistic]] [[dimension]]. Any aspect of the psychoanalytic [[experience]] which has a [[linguistic]] [[structure]] thus pertains to 'spring from the real' as pre-given, this [[symbolic order]]. The [[symbolic]] dimension of [[language]] is an illusion, and 'one shouldn't think that symbols actually of the [[signifier]]; a dimension in which elements have come from the real'no positive [[existence]] but which are constituted purely by virtue of their mutual differences.<ref> (S2, 238</ref>
==Alterity==The totalising, all-encompassing effect [[symbolic]] is also the realm of the symbolic order leads radical [[alterity]] which [[Lacan ]] refers to speak as the [[Other]]. The [[unconscious]] is the [[discourse]] of this [[Other]], and thus belongs wholly to the symbolic as a universe: 'In the [[symbolic order the totality is called a universe]]. The [[symbolic order from ]] is the realm of the [[Law]] which regulates [[desire]] in the first takes on its universal character[[Oedipus complex]]. It isn't constituted bit by bit. As soon is the realm of [[culture]] as opposed to the symbol arrives, there is a universe [[imaginary]] [[order]] of symbols[[nature]].'<ref> (S2, 29)</ref> There is therefore no question of a gradual continuous transition from Whereas the [[imaginary to ]] is characterised by [[dual relation]]s, the [[symbolic; they are completely heterogeneous domains. Once the symbolic order has arisen]] is characterised by [[triad]]ic [[structures]], it creates because the sense that it has [[intersubjective]] relationship is always been there, since 'we find it absolutely impossible to speculate on what preceded it other than "mediated" by symbols'.<ref> (S2a [[third]] term, 5)</ref> For this reason it is strictly speaking impossible to conceive the origin of language, let alone what came before, which is why questions of development lie outside the field of psychoanalysis[[big Other]].
Lacan criticises the psychoanalysis of his day for forgetting the ==Death==The [[symbolic order and reducing everything to ]] is also the imaginary. This isrealm of [[death]], for Lacan, nothing less than a betrayal of Freud's most basic insights; 'Freud's discovery [[absence]] and of [[lack]]. The [[symbolic]] is that of both the [[pleasure principle]] which regulates the field of distance from the effects[[Thing]], and the [[death drive]] which goes "[[pleasure principle|beyond the pleasure principle]]" by means of [[repetition]];<ref>{{S2}} p. 210</ref> in fact, "the nature [[death drive]] is only the mask of man, produced by his relation to the [[symbolic order]]. To ignore this symbolic order is condemn the discovery to oblivion.'"<ref> (E, 64){{S2}} p. 326</ref>
Lacan argues that ==Autonomy==The [[symbolic order]] is completely [[autonomous]]: it is only not a superstructure determined by working [[biology]] or [[biology|genetics]]. It is completely [[contingent]] with respect to the [[real]]: "There is no [[biological]] [[reason]], and in particular no genetic one, to account for exogamy. In the human order we are dealing with the [[complete]] emergence of a new function, encompassing the [[whole]] order in its entirety."<ref>{{S2}} p. 29</ref> Thus while the [[symbolic order ]] may seem to "spring from the real" as pre-given, this is an [[illusion]], and "one shouldn't [[think]] that [[symbols]] actually have come from the analyst can produce changes in real."<ref>{{S2}} p. 238</ref> The totalising, all-encompassing effect of the subjective position [[symbolic order]] leads [[Lacan]] to [[speak]] of the analysand; these changes will also produce imaginary effects, since [[symbolic]] as a [[universe]]: "In the symbolic order the imaginary [[totality]] is structured called a universe. The symbolic order from the first takes on its [[universal]] [[character]]. It isn't constituted bit by bit. As soon as the [[signifiersymbol]]; arrives, there is a dimension in which elements have universe of symbols."<ref>{{S2}} p. 29</ref> There is therefore no positive existence but which question of a gradual continuous transition from the [[imaginary ]]to the [[symbolic]]; they are constituted purely completely heterogeneous domains. Once the [[symbolic order]] has arisen, it creates the sense that it has always been there, since "we find it absolutely [[impossible]] to speculate on what preceded it other than by virtue symbols."<ref>{{S2}} p. 5</ref> For this reason it is strictly [[speaking]] impossible to conceive the origin of [[language]], let alone what came before, which is why questions of [[development]] lie [[outside]] the field of their mutual differences[[psychoanalysis]].
== def Psychoanalysis==[[Lacan]] criticises the [[psychoanalysis]] of his day for [[forgetting]] the [[symbolic order]] and reducing everything to the [[imaginary]]. This is, for [[Lacan]], [[nothing]] less than a [[betrayal]] of [[Freud]]'s most basic insights; "Freud's discovery is that of the field of the effects, in the nature of man, produced by his relation to the symbolic order. To ignore this symbolic order is to condemn the discovery to oblivion."<ref>{{E}} p. 64</ref> [[Lacan]] argues that it is only by [[working]] in the [[symbolic order]] that the [[analyst]] can produce changes in the [[subjective]] [[position]] of the [[analysand]]; these changes will also produce [[imaginary]] effects, since the [[imaginary]] is [[structure]]d by the [[symbolic]].
The social world of linguistic communication, intersubjective relations, knowledge of ideological conventions, and the acceptance of the law (also called the "big Other"). Once a child enters into language and accepts the rules and dictates of society, it is able to deal with others. The acceptance of language's rules is aligned with the Oedipus complex, according to Lacan. The symbolic is made possible because of your acceptance of the Name-of-the-Father, those laws and restrictions that control both your desire and the rules of communication. Through recognition of the Name-of-the-Father, you are able to enter into a community of others. The symbolic, through language, is "the pact which links... subjects together in one action. The human action par excellence is originally founded on the existence of the world of the symbol, namely on laws and contracts" (Freud's Papers 230). The symbolic order works in tension with the imaginary order and the Real. It is closely bound up with the superego and the phallus. See the Lacan module on the structure of the psyche.
== def See Also==In Jacques Lacan's theory of psychic structures, '''the Symbolic''' refers to the realm of language into which the child enters under the impetus of {{See}}* [[Communication]]* [[Death drive]]* [[Imaginary]]||* [[Language]]* [[Law]]* [[Linguistics]]||* [[the Name -of -the -Father]]. The child's world, which has already been transformed by * [[Oedipus complex]]* [[Other]]||* [[the ImaginaryOrder]] spatial identifications of the * [[Mirror StageReal]], now becomes bound up in * [[signifying chainSignifier]]s linked to a ||* [[master signifierStructure]]. Some leftover of * [[the RealUnconscious]] remains, however, unexpressed in language, and resists integration into the Symbolic.{{Also}}
[[Category==References==<div style="font-size:Lacan]]11px" class="references-small"><references/></div> {{OK}}[[Category:TermsSymbolic]][[Category:Concepts]][[Category:Psychoanalysis]]__NOTOC__
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