The summary of ‘A Tour of Lacan's Graph of Desire’

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker outlines a tour through Lacan’s graph of desire. They intend to clarify Lacan’s complex algebra and concepts using real-life examples, catering to both those unfamiliar with Lacanian jargon and more advanced Lacanians by providing on-screen quotations. The speaker gives historical context, detailing that most of Lacan’s work derived from his seminar series spanning from 1952 to 1980, and specifically highlights the graph’s development during Seminar 5 (1957-1958).

Lacan’s “graph of desire” is introduced as a tool illustrating the structure of analytic experience, with a focus on how desire is relationally situated in psychoanalysis. The speaker explains that the graph encompasses multiple graphs, each elaborating different points, and begins with the elementary cell of the “graph of desire.” This includes the concept of the “barred subject” (Ⓢ), which represents human subjectivity influenced by language, not an individual or ego. They describe Lacan’s critique of psychology and its emphasis on the subject’s unity, while highlighting Lacan’s view of the subject as divided due to the effect of the signifier (denoted by S and Sʹ) and the symbolic order from birth.

The video also touches on Lacan’s alignment with Freud’s theories of condensation and displacement in the unconscious, suggesting they operate through linguistic mechanisms. The segment concludes by distinguishing between the subject of the statement and the subject of enunciation using the example of the sentence “I am lying.”

00:10:00

In this segment, the speaker elaborates on Lacan’s concepts of the subject of enunciation and the subject of the statement. They explain that while the subject of the statement may lie, the subject of enunciation reveals an unconscious truth through speech. This difference is highlighted through a narrative about two colleagues, one advising the other to “never commit,” despite the context suggesting a deeper, personal reflection on commitment. The speaker discusses how signifiers shape our understanding, using examples like the phrase “the weed is” and Lacan’s bathroom door analogy. They also describe graph one from Lacan’s seminar, illustrating how signifiers represent subjects and how language and unconscious connections influence our speech. The discussion then shifts to Lacan’s “big Other,” a concept representing the structure within which language and meaning are constituted, independent of any specific subject or intention.

00:20:00

In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on the concept of language as a differential structure and its connection to binary oppositions. It addresses Lacan’s theory of the signifying chain and the role of punctuation. An infant’s integration into the symbolic order is highlighted, where the child is introduced to a universe of signifiers by caregivers, who themselves might not fully understand the significations they transmit. The examples of Freud’s case histories, such as Little Hans and the Rat Man, illustrate this process, showing how language and signification impact the child’s development.

The video then delves into the psychic structure of psychosis, examining how signifiers can become detached from their signifying chain, leading to phenomena like auditory hallucinations. It distinguishes between the “big Other” and the “small other,” introducing concepts of the ego ideal and the ideal ego, which are central to an individual’s self-perception and identification. Lacan’s notion of the unary trait is explained as a crucial element in forming the ego ideal, representing a single distinguishing feature that holds significant meaning and provides stability in the child’s identification process.

00:30:00

In this segment, the discussion revolves around Lacan’s concept of the unitary trait (or unit rate) and its significance as it transitions between the imaginary and symbolic realms. It emphasizes how the unitary trait functions as a signifier, supporting difference and designating radical otherness, providing the subject with a unique place in the symbolic order. The segment also addresses the ego ideal and its evolution from Lacan’s earlier theories to more developed ideas on bodily mastery and identification with an external image. The discussion notes the rivalry and aggression inherent in this imaginary dual relationship and uses examples, including a shocking real-life incident, to illustrate how destructive this rivalry can be when not mediated by a symbolic operator. Additionally, it introduces the concept of demand and desire, explaining how demand is an appeal for recognition and love, contrasting traditional notions of need.

00:40:00

In this part of the video, the speaker explores Lacanian psychoanalysis, focusing on the concepts of need, demand, and desire. They explain how basic needs are conditioned by language and interaction with the caregiver. Lacan posits that needs are expressed as demands, which are appeals to the other and not specific objects. Desire emerges in the gap between need and demand, being inherently without a specific object or goal. The comparison of objects in psychoanalysis is discussed, contrasting the common understanding of objects as things or aims with the psychoanalytic object, which relates to intangible elements like happiness. The speaker delves into Lacan’s notion of the “object a,” highlighting its role as both the object and cause of desire, and explains the structure of fantasy involving the subject, object a, and their relationship. They reference Freud’s work on fantasy and how psychoanalytic fantasy structures inform desires and interpretations within therapeutic contexts.

00:50:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various psychoanalytic concepts, primarily focusing on Freud and Lacan’s theories. They talk about Lacan’s third iteration of the graph and how desire adjusts to fantasy. The subject of the drive is explained with reference to Freud’s work, noting that it arises when a subject vanishes from demand, making the drive a pure form of demand.

An example used is alcohol addiction, illustrating how an organic need (thirst) transforms into a need for alcohol, highlighting the concept of the ‘lack in the other.’ The signifier zero is mentioned as an example to understand this lack, suggesting that no ultimate guarantee exists within the other’s consistency. Lacan’s concept of the phallus is introduced as a significant signifier of both desire and sexual difference.

The flexibility of the signifying chain due to the inherent lack is emphasized; without it, new significations become possible. This fluidity is critical for art, literature, and culture. Lacan’s definition of the signifier is provided, alongside an exploration of concepts such as jouissance, which involves complex, often forbidden enjoyment that is interwoven with language and desire.

A practical example from Freud’s practice illustrates how early childhood experiences and language transitions can shape specific desires and fetishes, revealing the nuanced mechanisms of how desire manifests through the signifier.

01:00:00

In this part of the video, the discussion centers on the concept of the phallus in Lacanian psychoanalysis. The phallus is described both as an imaginary and symbolic entity, tied to notions of lack and castration. Translator Bruce Fink clarifies that the phallus symbolizes what is missing in the desired image and operates as a representation of absent things, much like a young child uses symbols to deal with the presence and absence of their mother. Lacan’s theory suggests that the phallus can only function when veiled, thereby representing absence while being present.

The segment also delves into the implications of these ideas for neurotic behavior, where neurotics often conflate the other’s lack with the other’s demand. This leads to the neurotic making the other’s demands their object, which analysts should approach by not embodying the master figure in transference but rather aiming to destabilize it. Additionally, the segment highlights how the analyst must balance their role carefully to avoid reinforcing the neurotic’s perceptions of mastery and ignorance. Techniques in psychotherapy should consider these dynamics, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying castration rather than merely strengthening the ego to achieve therapeutic effects.

01:10:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker highlights some of the most beautiful lines from Acree that can serve as a mantra for accepting a life of continuous striving. The concept discussed revolves around the idea that one’s response must be refused to be attained, aligning with the inverse scale of the law of desire. The video then encourages viewers to subscribe for more content related to Jacques Lacan’s work on psychoanalysis and to explore additional resources on Lacan online.