Difference between revisions of "Helplessness"
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==Dependency== | ==Dependency== | ||
| − | The term "[[helplessness]]" is used in [[psychoanalysis]] to denote the state of the newborn [[development|infant]] who is incapable of carrying out the specific [[act]]ions required to [[desire|satisfy]] its own [[need]]s, and so is completely ''dependent'' on other people (especially the [[mother]]). | + | The term "[[helplessness]]" is used in [[psychoanalysis]] to denote the [[state]] of the newborn [[development|infant]] who is incapable of carrying out the specific [[act]]ions required to [[desire|satisfy]] its own [[need]]s, and so is completely ''dependent'' on [[other]] [[people]] (especially the [[mother]]). |
==Prematurity== | ==Prematurity== | ||
| − | The [[helplessness]] of the [[development|human infant]] is grounded in its "'''prematurity'''" of birth, a fact which was pointed out by [[Freud]] and which [[Lacan]] takes up in his [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|early writings]]. Compared to other [[nature|animal]]s such as apes, the [[development|human infant]] is relatively unformed when it is born, especially with respect to ''motor coordination''. This means that it is more ''dependent'' than other [[nature|animal]]s, and for a longer time, on its parents. | + | The [[helplessness]] of the [[development|human infant]] is grounded in its "'''[[prematurity]]'''" of [[birth]], a fact which was pointed out by [[Freud]] and which [[Lacan]] takes up in his [[Jacques Lacan:Bibliography|early writings]]. Compared to other [[nature|animal]]s such as apes, the [[development|human infant]] is relatively unformed when it is [[born]], especially with respect to ''[[motor coordination]]''. This means that it is more ''dependent'' than other [[nature|animal]]s, and for a longer [[time]], on its [[parents]]. |
==Mother-Child Dual Relation== | ==Mother-Child Dual Relation== | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud]] in highlighting the importance of the initial ''dependence'' of the [[development|human infant]] on the '''[[mother]]'''. [[Lacan]]'s originality lies in the way he draws attention to "the fact that this dependence is maintained by a world of [[language]].<ref>{{E}} p. 309</ref> The [[mother]] [[interpretation|interpret]]s the [[infant]]'s cries as hunger, tiredness, loneliness, etc. and [[punctuation|retroactively]] determines their [[signification|meaning]] (see [[punctuation]]). The [[development|child]]'s [[helplessness]] contrasts with the omnipotence of the [[mother]], who can decide whether or not to [[desire|satisfy]] the [[development|child]]'s [[need]]s.<ref>{{S4}} p. 69, 185</ref> The recognition of this contrast engenders a depressive effect in the [[child]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 186</ref> | + | [[Lacan]] follows [[Freud]] in highlighting the importance of the initial ''[[dependence]]'' of the [[development|human infant]] on the '''[[mother]]'''. [[Lacan]]'s originality lies in the way he draws attention to "the fact that this dependence is maintained by a [[world]] of [[language]].<ref>{{E}} p. 309</ref> The [[mother]] [[interpretation|interpret]]s the [[infant]]'s cries as hunger, tiredness, loneliness, etc. and [[punctuation|retroactively]] determines their [[signification|meaning]] (see [[punctuation]]). The [[development|child]]'s [[helplessness]] contrasts with the omnipotence of the [[mother]], who can decide whether or not to [[desire|satisfy]] the [[development|child]]'s [[need]]s.<ref>{{S4}} p. 69, 185</ref> The [[recognition]] of this contrast engenders a depressive effect in the [[child]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 186</ref> |
==End of Analysis== | ==End of Analysis== | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] also uses the concept of [[helplessness]] to illustrate the sense of '''abandonment''' and '''[[subjective destitution]]''' that the [[analysand]] feels at the [[end of analysis]]. "At the end of a [[training]] [[analysis]] the [[subject]] should reach and know the domain and level of the experience of absolute disarray."<ref>{{S7}} p. 304</ref> The [[end of analysis]] is not conceived of by [[Lacan]] as the realization of some blissful plenitude, but quite the contrary, as a moment when the [[subject]] comes to terms with his utter solitude. However, whereas the [[development|infant]] can rely on its [[mother]]'s [[helplessness|help]], the [[analysand]] at the [[end of analysis]] "can expect [[help]] from no one."<ref>{{S7}} p. 304</ref> If this seems to present a particularly ascetic view of [[treatment|psychoanalytic treatment]], this is exactly how [[Lacan]] wishes it to be seen; [[psychoanalysis]] is, in [[Lacan]]'s words, a "long subjective ascesis."<ref>{{E}} p. 105</ref> | + | [[Lacan]] also uses the [[concept]] of [[helplessness]] to illustrate the [[sense]] of '''abandonment''' and '''[[subjective destitution]]''' that the [[analysand]] feels at the [[end of analysis]]. "At the end of a [[training]] [[analysis]] the [[subject]] should reach and [[know]] the [[domain]] and level of the [[experience]] of absolute disarray."<ref>{{S7}} p. 304</ref> The [[end of analysis]] is not conceived of by [[Lacan]] as the realization of some blissful plenitude, but quite the contrary, as a [[moment]] when the [[subject]] comes to [[terms]] with his utter solitude. However, whereas the [[development|infant]] can rely on its [[mother]]'s [[helplessness|help]], the [[analysand]] at the [[end of analysis]] "can expect [[help]] from no one."<ref>{{S7}} p. 304</ref> If this seems to [[present]] a particularly ascetic view of [[treatment|psychoanalytic treatment]], this is exactly how [[Lacan]] wishes it to be seen; [[psychoanalysis]] is, in [[Lacan]]'s [[words]], a "long [[subjective]] ascesis."<ref>{{E}} p. 105</ref> |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:22, 24 May 2019
| French: détresse |
| German: Hilflosigkeit |
Dependency
The term "helplessness" is used in psychoanalysis to denote the state of the newborn infant who is incapable of carrying out the specific actions required to satisfy its own needs, and so is completely dependent on other people (especially the mother).
Prematurity
The helplessness of the human infant is grounded in its "prematurity" of birth, a fact which was pointed out by Freud and which Lacan takes up in his early writings. Compared to other animals such as apes, the human infant is relatively unformed when it is born, especially with respect to motor coordination. This means that it is more dependent than other animals, and for a longer time, on its parents.
Mother-Child Dual Relation
Lacan follows Freud in highlighting the importance of the initial dependence of the human infant on the mother. Lacan's originality lies in the way he draws attention to "the fact that this dependence is maintained by a world of language.[1] The mother interprets the infant's cries as hunger, tiredness, loneliness, etc. and retroactively determines their meaning (see punctuation). The child's helplessness contrasts with the omnipotence of the mother, who can decide whether or not to satisfy the child's needs.[2] The recognition of this contrast engenders a depressive effect in the child.[3]
End of Analysis
Lacan also uses the concept of helplessness to illustrate the sense of abandonment and subjective destitution that the analysand feels at the end of analysis. "At the end of a training analysis the subject should reach and know the domain and level of the experience of absolute disarray."[4] The end of analysis is not conceived of by Lacan as the realization of some blissful plenitude, but quite the contrary, as a moment when the subject comes to terms with his utter solitude. However, whereas the infant can rely on its mother's help, the analysand at the end of analysis "can expect help from no one."[5] If this seems to present a particularly ascetic view of psychoanalytic treatment, this is exactly how Lacan wishes it to be seen; psychoanalysis is, in Lacan's words, a "long subjective ascesis."[6]
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 309
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 69, 185
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre IV. La relation d'objet, 19566-57. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1991. p. 186
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 304
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book VII. The Ethics of Psychoanalysis, 1959-60. Trans. Dennis Porter. London: Routledge, 1992. p. 304
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 105
