Signifiers and Acts

Ed Pluth

Description

In Signifiers and Acts, Ed Pluth examines Lacan's views on language and sexuality to argue that Lacan's theory of the subject is best read as a theory of freedom and agency—a theory that is especially compelling precisely because of its structuralist and seemingly antihumanist framework. Presenting new aspects of Lacan's work and commenting extensively on the important yet unpublished seminars that still make up the majority of his contribution to contemporary thought, the book aims to make a Lacanian intervention into contemporary theory. In addition to Saussure, Sartre, Derrida, Lacoue-Labarthe, and Nancy, Pluth discusses works in political theory and identity theory by Alain Badiou, Judith Butler, and Slavoj Zðizûek.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. Lacan’s Subversion of the Subject

2. The First Thesis

3. Identity, or the Subject-as-Meaning

4. The Second Thesis

5. The Fundamental Fantasy

6. How Acts Use Signifiers

7. Badiou and Zizek on Acts and Subjects

8. An Act beyond Recognition

Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Épistémologie
• Philosophie de l'esprit
• Epistémologie
• Epistémologie
• Epistémologie
• Literary theory

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791479377
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Signifiers and Acts

SUNY series, Insinuations: Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Literature Charles Shepherdson, editor

Signifiers and Acts

Freedom in Lacan’s Theory of the Subject

ED PLUTH

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2007 State University of New York

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pluth, Ed. Signifiers and acts : freedom in Lacan’s theory of the subject / Ed Pluth. p. cm. — (SUNY series, insinuations : philosophy, psychoanalysis, literature) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–0–7914–7243–9 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Lacan, Jacques, 1901–1981. 2. Psychoanalysis. 3. Psychoanalysis and philosophy. 4. Phenomenology. 5. Psycholinguistics. I. Title.

BF109.L23P58 2007 150.195092—dc22

2006101105

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To An

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Acknowledgments

Introduction

Contents

Chapter 1. Lacan’s Subversion of the Subject

Chapter 2. The First Thesis

Chapter 3. Identity, or the Subject-as-Meaning

Chapter 4. The Second Thesis

Chapter 5. The Fundamental Fantasy

Chapter 6. How Acts Use Signifiers

ˇ Chapter 7. Badiou and Zizˇ ek on Acts and Subjects

Chapter 8. An Act beyond Recognition

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

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Acknowledgments

n earlier version of part of chapter 4 was published as “A Chè A Vuoi? Stage: Lacan’s Theory of Subject Formation” inERR: The Journal of Affiliated Psychoanalytic Workgroups1:2 (2002): 25–32. A modified version of chapter 1 was previously published as “Lacan’s Subversion of the Subject” in Continental Philosophy Review. 39:3. July 2006. 293–312. Chapter 6 is based on “How Acts Use Signifiers,” previously pub- lished inJournal for Lacanian Studies2:1 (2004): 18–33. I would like to thank the many people who have been of help to me throughout the creation of this book. Fred Evans and Bruce Fink were fantastic mentors during its production, and their comments have made this work immeasurably better. Ed Casey, Dany Nobus, and Wilhelm Wurzer also made very helpful comments on an early draft. David Blomme, Dominiek Hoens, Sigi Jöttkandt, and Marc de Kesel were significant interlocutors during a very important part of this book’s gestation period, and the group of researchers at the Cesuur study center in Ghent, Belgium, provided years of intellectual stimula- tion and conversation. Finally, enormous thanks are due to An Bulkens for constant support and insight. Dedicating this book to her is hardly enough, but it is a start.

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