Difference between revisions of "Quaternary"
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| − | + | "[[quarternary]]" ([[Fr]]. ''[[quaternaire]]'') | |
| − | + | -- | |
| − | + | A [[quaternary]] is a [[structure]] which comprises four elements. | |
| − | insists on the importance of fourfold schemes: | + | Although [[Lacan]]'s rejection of dualistic schemas in favour of an emphasis on the triangular structure of the [[symbolic]] involves a predominance of triadic schemes in his work, Lacan also insists on the importance of fourfold schemes: |
| − | since the introduction of the unconscious, always been required in the con- | + | <blockquote>A quadripartite structure has, since the introduction of the unconscious, always been required in the con- struction of a subjective ordering.<ref>{{Ec}} p. 774</ref></blockquote> |
| − | + | --- | |
| − | + | The emphasis on the [[quaternary]] first comes to the fore in Lacan's work inthe early 1950s, and is perhaps due to the influence of Claude LÈvi-Strauss, whose work on the structure of the avunculate shows that the basic unit of kinship always involves a minimum of four terms.<ref>LÈvi-Strauss, 1945</ref> | |
| − | the | + | Thus, in a 1953 paper which deals with the neurotic's 'individual myth' (another reference to LÈvi-Strauss), Lacan remarks that "there is within the neurotic a quartet situation,"<ref>Lacan, 1953b: 231</ref> and adds that this quartet can demonstrate the particularities of each case of neurosis more rigorously than the traditional triangular thematisation of the Oedipus complex.<ref>Lacan, 1953b:232</ref> |
| − | + | He concludes that "the whole oedipal schema needs to be re-examined."<ref>Lacan, 1953b: 235</ref> | |
| − | + | Thus, in addition to the three elements of the Oedipus complex (mother, child, father), Lacan often speaks of a fourth element; sometimes he argues that this fourth element is [[death]],<ref>Lacan, 1953b: 237; S4, 431</ref> and at other times he argues that it is the [[phallus]].<ref>{{S3}} p.319</ref> | |
| − | + | --- | |
| − | + | In 1955, Lacan goes on to compare psychoanalytic treatment to bridge, "a game for four players."<ref>{{E}} p.139, 229-230</ref> | |
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| − | game for four players | ||
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| + | In the same year, he describes a quaternary made up of a triadic structure plus a fourth element (the [[letter]]) which circulates among these three elements.<ref>Lacan, 1955a</ref> | ||
| + | --- | ||
| + | Other important [[quaternary]] [[structure]]s which appear in Lacan's work are [[schema L]] (which has four nodes), the four partial drives and their four corresponding [[part-object]]s, and the [[four discourses]] (each of which has four symbols assigned to four places). | ||
| + | [[Lacan]] also enumerates four "fundamental concepts of psychoanalysis"<ref>Lacan, 1964a</ref> and speaks of the sinthome as a fourth ring which prevents the other three rings in the [[borromean knot]] (the three orders of the [[real]], the [[symbolic]] and the [[imaginary]]) from becoming separated. | ||
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| − | [[Category:Lacan]] | + | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] |
| + | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Concepts]] | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
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Revision as of 07:27, 4 August 2006
"quarternary" (Fr. quaternaire)
--
A quaternary is a structure which comprises four elements.
Although Lacan's rejection of dualistic schemas in favour of an emphasis on the triangular structure of the symbolic involves a predominance of triadic schemes in his work, Lacan also insists on the importance of fourfold schemes:
A quadripartite structure has, since the introduction of the unconscious, always been required in the con- struction of a subjective ordering.[1]
---
The emphasis on the quaternary first comes to the fore in Lacan's work inthe early 1950s, and is perhaps due to the influence of Claude LÈvi-Strauss, whose work on the structure of the avunculate shows that the basic unit of kinship always involves a minimum of four terms.[2]
Thus, in a 1953 paper which deals with the neurotic's 'individual myth' (another reference to LÈvi-Strauss), Lacan remarks that "there is within the neurotic a quartet situation,"[3] and adds that this quartet can demonstrate the particularities of each case of neurosis more rigorously than the traditional triangular thematisation of the Oedipus complex.[4]
He concludes that "the whole oedipal schema needs to be re-examined."[5]
Thus, in addition to the three elements of the Oedipus complex (mother, child, father), Lacan often speaks of a fourth element; sometimes he argues that this fourth element is death,[6] and at other times he argues that it is the phallus.[7]
---
In 1955, Lacan goes on to compare psychoanalytic treatment to bridge, "a game for four players."[8]
In the same year, he describes a quaternary made up of a triadic structure plus a fourth element (the letter) which circulates among these three elements.[9]
---
Other important quaternary structures which appear in Lacan's work are schema L (which has four nodes), the four partial drives and their four corresponding part-objects, and the four discourses (each of which has four symbols assigned to four places).
Lacan also enumerates four "fundamental concepts of psychoanalysis"[10] and speaks of the sinthome as a fourth ring which prevents the other three rings in the borromean knot (the three orders of the real, the symbolic and the imaginary) from becoming separated.
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 774
- ↑ LÈvi-Strauss, 1945
- ↑ Lacan, 1953b: 231
- ↑ Lacan, 1953b:232
- ↑ Lacan, 1953b: 235
- ↑ Lacan, 1953b: 237; S4, 431
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book III. The Psychoses, 1955-56. Trans. Russell Grigg. London: Routledge, 1993. p.319
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.139, 229-230
- ↑ Lacan, 1955a
- ↑ Lacan, 1964a
