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Lacan takes up the concept of sublimation in his seminar of 1959-60. He follows ==Sublimation and Freud==[[Sigmund Freud in emphasising the fact that the element of social recognition is central to the concept, since it is only insofar as the drives are diverted towards socially valued objects that they can be said to be sublimated ]] never developed a coherent theory (S7, 107or account). It is this dimension of shared social values which allows Lacan to tie in the concept of [[sublimation with his discussion of ethics (see S7, 144). However, Lacan's account of sublimation also differs from Freud's on a number of points]].

1. Freud's account implies that perverse sexuality as [[Sublimation]] is a form of direct satisfaction of term widely used in [[psychoanalytic theory]] to describe the [[process]] in which the [[libido]] [[sexuality|sexual]] [[drive ]] (psychic or erotic energy) is possiblechannelled, converted, transformed into an apparently non-sexual activity, such as [[art|artistic creation]] and that sublimation is only necessary because this direct form is prohibited by society. Lacan however rejects the concept of a zero degree of satisfaction (see éiûekintellectual work, or redirected, 1991: 83diverted toward an apparently non-4), arguing that perversion not simply sexual aim or a brute natural means of discharging the libidosocially valued [[object]], but a highly structured relation to the drives which are alreadysuch as [[art|artistic creation]] and intellectual work, in themselvesinto creative and intellectual activity, linguistic rather than biological forcesinto "socially useful" achievements.<ref>Freud 1933</ref>

2. Whereas Freud believed that complete sublimation might be possible for some particularly refined [[Sublimation]] is a type of [[coping|coping mechanism]] or cultured people[[defense mechanism]], Lacan argues that 'complete sublimation is not possible which functions as a socially acceptable escape valve for the individual' excess sexual or erotic energy which would otherwise have to be discharged in socially unacceptable forms (S7, 91perverse behaviour)or in neurotic symptoms. Erotic energy is only allowed limited expression due to [[Psychological repression|repression]].

3. In Freud's account, sublimation involves the redirection The logical conclusion of the drive to such a different (non-sexual) object. In Lacan's account, however, what changes view is not the object but its position in the structure of fantasy. In other words, that complete sublimation does not involve directing the drive to a different object, but rather changing the nature of the object to which the drive was already directed, a 'change of object in itself', something which is made possible because the drive is 'already deeply marked by would mean the articulation end of the signifier' (S7, 293)all perversion and all neurosis. The sublime quality of an object is thus not due [[Civilization]] has been able to any intrinsic property of place "social aims higher than the object itself, but simply an effect of the object's position in the symbolic structure of fantasy. To be more specific, sublimation relocates an object in the position of the THINGsexual ones. The Lacanian formula for sublimation is thus that 'it raises an object . . . to the dignity of the Thing' (S7, l 12)"<ref>Introductory Lectures 16.345</ref>

4===Sublimation and Art===This usage appears to be influenced by the aesthetics of the sublime. While Lacan follows In his study of Leonardo da Vinci, Freud uses 'sublimation' in linking sublimation with creativity and ART, he complicates this by also linking it with sense to describe the DEATH DRIVE (S4, 431)transformation of theyoung Leonardo's sexual curiosity into a spirit of intellectual inquiry. Several<ref>1910a</ref>reasons can be adduced to explain Whilst this. Firstlyproduced great works of art, the concept sublimation of the death drive is itself seen as [[libido]] into a general urge to know meant that a product small quota of FreudLeonardo's own sublimation (S7sexual ennergy was directe dtowards sexual aims, 212)and resulted in a stunted adult sexuality. Secondly, thedeath drive is not only Elsewhere Frud suggests tht a mature woman'destruction drive', but also 'a will s capacity to create from zero' (S7, 212-13). Thirdly, the sublime object, through being elevated to thedignity of the Thing, exerts pursue an intellectual profession may be a power sublimated expression of fascination which leads ultimately her childhood desire to death and destructionacquire a penis.

== def Sublimation and Lacan==Lacan's account of sublimation differs from Freud's on a number of points.

The redirection of sexual desire to "higher" aims. # Freud saw argues that [[sublimation as a protection against illness, since it allowed the subject to respond to sexual frustration (lack of gratification of the sexual impulse) by taking a new aim that, though still "genetically" (Introductory Lectures 16.345) related to the sexual impulse, ]] is no longer properly sexual but social. In only necessary because this way, civilization has been able to place "social aims higher than the sexual ones, which are at bottom self-interested" (Introductory Lectures 16.345). This is not to say that the "free mobility direct [[satisfaction]] of the libido" [[drive]] (Introductory Lectures 16.346although theoretically possible) is ever fully contained: "sublimation is never able to deal with more than a certain fraction of libido" (Introductory Lectures 16.346)[[prohibition|prohibited]] by [[society]].

==def==In # Freud's account implies that [[perversion|perverse]] [[sexuality]] as a form of direct [[satisfaction]] of the [[psychologydrive]]is possible, '''and that [[sublimation''' ]] is only necessary because this direct form is a [[copingprohibition|prohibited]] by [[society]] mechanism. It has its roots Lacan conceives of [[perversion]] in a highly structured relation to the psychoanalytical approach[[drive]]s which are already, in themselves, and is often also referred to as a type of [[defense mechanismlinguistic]] rather than [[biology|biological forces]].<ref>see Zizek, 1991: 83-4)</ref>

Sublimation is the refocusing of psychic energy (which # Whereas Freud believed that complete [[sublimation]] might be possible for some particularly refined or [[Sigmund Freudculture]] believed was limited) away from negative outlets to more positive outlets. These drives which cannot find an outlet are rechanneled. For exampled people, a student who has a major upcoming test, rather than spending time and energy worrying about it, would rechannel Lacan argues that time and energy into studying"complete sublimation is not possible for the individual. In Freud's classic theory"<ref>S7, erotic energy 91</ref>This is only allowed limited expression due not to [[Psychological repression|repression]], and much say that the "free mobility of the remainder of a given group's erotic energy libido" (Introductory Lectures 16.346) is ever fully contained: "sublimation is used never able to develop its [[culture]] and [[civilization]]deal with more than a certain fraction of libido."<ref>Introductory Lectures 16.346</ref>

# In Freud considered this defense mechanism 's account, [[sublimation]] involves the most productive compared redirection of the [[drive]] to the others that he identified a different (ienon-sexual) [[object]].In Lacan's account, [[Psychological repression|repressionsublimation]]does not involve directing the drive to a different object, but rather changing the (position of the object in the structure of fantasy) nature of the object to which the drive was already directed, a "change of object in itself," something which is made possible because the drive is "already deeply marked by the articulation of the signifier."<ref>S7, 293</ref>The [[Displacement_(psychology)|displacementsublime]], quality of an [[denialobject]]is thus not due to any intrinsic property of the object itself, but simply an effect of the object's position in the [[reaction formationsymbolic]], [[intellectualizationstructure]] and of [[Psychological projection|projectionfantasy]]). Sublimation is relocates an object in the process position of transforming the [[libidothing]] into . The Lacanian formula for sublimation is thus that "social useful" achievements, mainly it raises an object ... to the [[artdignity of the Thing]]. Psychoanalysts often refer to sublimation as the only truly successful defense mechanism."<ref>S7, l 12</ref>