How to Read Lacan
An intriguing exploration of Lacan’s theories, shedding light on psychoanalysis and the unconscious.
Summary of 4 Key Points
Key Points
- The mirror stage as formative of the function of the I
- The agency of the letter in the unconscious
- The signification of the phallus
- The subversion of the subject and the dialectic of desire
key point 1 of 4
The mirror stage as formative of the function of the I
In the mirror stage, a child, usually around six to eighteen months old, begins to identify themselves in a mirror or reflective surface, experiencing the first conception of self. This experience, however, is marked with a sense of alienation – the ‘I’ perceived in the mirror is whole, unified, and seems more perfect than the child’s actual experience of their fragmented body and emotions. This forms the basis for the ‘I’ or ego, which is fundamentally an idealized image of self…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 4
The agency of the letter in the unconscious
The agency of the letter in the unconscious postulates that language and its structures play a significant role in shaping our unconscious desires and fantasies. The linguistic structures we use in our everyday communication embed themselves in our psyche and affect our unconscious thoughts and actions. For instance, the grammatical rules of language might prompt us to think in certain ways and limit our thought process to specific patterns…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 4
The signification of the phallus
The phallus, in Lacanian theory, is not simply the male genital organ but a signifier—a symbol with a set of meanings attached to it within the symbolic order. It represents the power, potency, and authority that come with the cultural and social roles assigned to masculinity. However, it’s crucial to understand that the phallus as a signifier is not an actual object, but rather a metaphor for the transmission of desire and the law within the structure of language and unconscious relations…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 4
The subversion of the subject and the dialectic of desire
In Lacan’s view, the subject is not a stable, unified entity, but rather a complex process of becoming, constantly in flux and subject to the forces of the symbolic, the imaginary, and the real. The subject is formed in and through language, but in a way that is ultimately impossible to fully articulate. This subversion of the subject challenges traditional notions of identity and selfhood, suggesting that who we think we are is always already shaped and structured by forces outside of ourselves…Read&Listen More