Desire

Definition

Desire refers to a complex psychological and emotional state that involves longing or yearning for something that is perceived as missing or unattainable. In the context of Lacanian psychoanalysis, desire is closely tied to the concepts of lack and the unconscious, suggesting that our desires are shaped by our experiences and the structures of language, which create an inherent sense of incompleteness in individuals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Lacanian psychoanalysis, desire is fundamentally linked to the notion of lack; individuals desire what they perceive to be absent in their lives.
2. Desire does not seek mere satisfaction but rather is driven by an ongoing pursuit of the unattainable object, often referred to as 'objet petit a'.
3. Language plays a critical role in shaping desire, as it structures our thoughts and articulates our feelings, influencing what we want and how we express that longing.
4. Lacan argued that desire is inherently social; it is not just about personal want but also reflects our relationships with others and societal norms.
5. Desire is not static; it evolves over time and can shift as individuals navigate their experiences, interactions, and understanding of themselves within the world.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of lack relate to desire in Lacanian psychoanalysis?
  • In Lacanian psychoanalysis, lack is a fundamental aspect of human existence that shapes desire. It represents the feeling of incompleteness that motivates individuals to pursue what they believe is missing from their lives. Desire emerges from this sense of lack, leading people to seek fulfillment through various objects or experiences. Understanding this relationship is crucial as it highlights how our desires are not merely personal whims but are deeply rooted in our psychological states.
• Discuss how language influences the expression and understanding of desire according to Lacan's theories.
  • Language plays a pivotal role in shaping both the articulation and perception of desire in Lacan's framework. It provides the structure through which desires are expressed and understood, effectively mediating our relationship with what we want. The signifiers we use carry meanings that can influence our desires, suggesting that the way we speak about our wants can alter their significance. This means that desire is not just an internal feeling but also a social construct shaped by language and cultural contexts.
• Evaluate the implications of desire being an ongoing pursuit rather than a means to achieve satisfaction within Lacanian theory.
  • In Lacanian theory, the idea that desire is an ongoing pursuit rather than a simple means to achieve satisfaction has profound implications for understanding human behavior and relationships. This perspective suggests that individuals are constantly striving for an unattainable object or ideal, which leads to a perpetual cycle of wanting rather than fulfilling. Such a framework redefines how we think about satisfaction; it becomes less about reaching a final destination and more about navigating the complex interplay between need, identity, and societal expectations. This ongoing pursuit fundamentally shapes how people relate to themselves and others within their social environment.

Related terms

Lack: In Lacanian theory, lack represents the fundamental feeling of incompleteness or absence that drives human desire and motivates individuals to seek fulfillment.

The Mirror Stage: A crucial phase in Lacanian theory where a child recognizes their own image in a mirror, leading to the formation of the ego and a heightened awareness of desire and identity.

Signifier:

A term used in linguistics and psychoanalysis, referring to the physical form of a word or symbol that represents an idea or concept, essential in understanding how desire is articulated through language.