Difference between revisions of "Graph of desire"
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The pre[[linguistic]] mythical [[subject]] of pure [[need]], indicated by the triangle, must pass through the defiles of the [[signifier]] which produces the [[divided]] [[subject]], '''$'''. | The pre[[linguistic]] mythical [[subject]] of pure [[need]], indicated by the triangle, must pass through the defiles of the [[signifier]] which produces the [[divided]] [[subject]], '''$'''. | ||
| − | + | ====Intermediate Stages==== | |
| − | The intermediate stages of the [[graph of desire]] are not meant to show any [[progress|evolution]] or [[development|temporal development]], since the [[graph of desire|graph]] always exists as a whole; they are simply pedagogical devices used by [[Lacan]] in order to illustrate the [[structure]] of the complete graph.<ref>{{E}} p.315</ref> | + | The intermediate stages of the [[graph of desire]] are not meant to show any [[progress|evolution]] or [[development|temporal development]], since the [[graph of desire|graph]] always exists as a whole; they are simply pedagogical devices used by [[Lacan]] in order to illustrate the [[structure]] of the [[graph of desire|complete graph]].<ref>{{E}} p.315</ref> |
| − | + | ====Complete Graph==== | |
[[Image:Lacan-graph-complete.jpg|Complete Graph|thumb|right]] | [[Image:Lacan-graph-complete.jpg|Complete Graph|thumb|right]] | ||
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The upper chain (from ''[[jouissance]]'' to [[castration]]) is the [[signifying chain]] in the [[unconscious]], the level of the [[enunciation]]. | The upper chain (from ''[[jouissance]]'' to [[castration]]) is the [[signifying chain]] in the [[unconscious]], the level of the [[enunciation]]. | ||
| − | The [[structure]] is thus duplicated: the upper part of the graph is structured exactly like the lower part. | + | The [[structure]] is thus duplicated: the upper part of the [[graph]] is structured exactly like the lower part. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 06:33, 30 July 2006
The "graph of desire" (Fr. graphe du désir) is a topographical representation of the structure of desire.
Contents
Jacques Lacan
Lacan first develops the graph of desire in the seminar of 1957-8 in order to illustrate the psychoanalytic theory of jokes.[1]
The graph reappears in some of the following seminars, but then all but disappears from Lacan's work.
The graph appears in various forms, although the most well known form of it appears in "The subversion of the subject and the dialectic of desire in the Freudian unconscious."[2]
Four Stages
In this paper, Lacan builds up the graph of desire in four stages.
Elementary Cell
The first of these stages in the "elementary cell" of the graph.[3]
The horizontal line represents the diachronic signifying chain; the horseshow-shaped line represents the vector of the subject's intentionality.
The double intersection of these two lines illustrates the nature of retroaction: the message, at the point marked s(A) in the elementary cell, is the point de capiton determined retroactively by the particular punctuation given to it by the Other, A.
The prelinguistic mythical subject of pure need, indicated by the triangle, must pass through the defiles of the signifier which produces the divided subject, $.
Intermediate Stages
The intermediate stages of the graph of desire are not meant to show any evolution or temporal development, since the graph always exists as a whole; they are simply pedagogical devices used by Lacan in order to illustrate the structure of the complete graph.[4]
Complete Graph
In the complete graph there are not one but two signifying chains.
The lower chain (from the signifier to the voice) is the conscious signifying chain]], the level of the statement.
The upper chain (from jouissance to castration) is the signifying chain in the unconscious, the level of the enunciation.
The structure is thus duplicated: the upper part of the graph is structured exactly like the lower part.
References
- ↑ Freud, Sigmund. Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious. SE VIII. 1905.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. "Subversion du sujet et dialectique du désir dans l'inconscient freudien." Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.793-827. "The subversion of the subject and the dialectic of desire in the Freudian unconscious." Ecrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock. 1977. p.292-325
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.303
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.315
