Difference between revisions of "Hieroglyphics"

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As an element of the [[real]], the [[letter]] is [[meaning]]less in itself.  [[Lacan]] illustrates this by referring to ancient [[Egyptian hieroglyphics]], which were indecipherable to Europeans for so long. Until Champollion was able to decipher them on the basis of the Rosetta Stone, no one knew how to understand these enigmatic inscriptions, but it was nevertheless clear that they were organized into a signifying system.<ref>{{S1}} p. 244-5; {{E}} p. 160</ref> In the same way, the [[signifier]] persists as a [[meaning]]less [[letter]] which makes the destiny of the [[subject]] and which he must decipher.
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As an element of the [[real]], the [[letter]] is [[meaning]]less in itself.  [[Lacan]] illustrates this by referring to ancient [[Egyptian hieroglyphics]], which were indecipherable to Europeans for so long. Until Champollion was able to decipher [[them]] on the basis of the Rosetta Stone, no one knew how to [[understand]] these enigmatic inscriptions, but it was nevertheless clear that they were organized into a signifying [[system]].<ref>{{S1}} p. 244-5; {{E}} p. 160</ref> In the same way, the [[signifier]] persists as a [[meaning]]less [[letter]] which makes the destiny of the [[subject]] and which he must decipher.
  
  
<!-- Hieroglyphics, 118, 166, 190,209<ref>Muller, John P. and William J. Richardson. Lacan and Language: A Reader's Guide to Ecrits. New York: International Universiites Press, Inc., 1982.</ref> -->
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<!-- Hieroglyphics, 118, 166, 190,209<ref>Muller, John P. and William J. Richardson. Lacan and [[Language]]: A Reader's [[Guide]] to [[Ecrits]]. New York: International Universiites Press, Inc., 1982.</ref> -->
  
 
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Latest revision as of 20:53, 23 May 2019

As an element of the real, the letter is meaningless in itself. Lacan illustrates this by referring to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, which were indecipherable to Europeans for so long. Until Champollion was able to decipher them on the basis of the Rosetta Stone, no one knew how to understand these enigmatic inscriptions, but it was nevertheless clear that they were organized into a signifying system.[1] In the same way, the signifier persists as a meaningless letter which makes the destiny of the subject and which he must decipher.


  1. Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 244-5; Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 160