Description
THE MAN SEATED
Book Summary
This work gathers a series of fundamental essays written by Oscar Masotta between 1964 and 1976, which establish him as a pioneer in introducing Jacques Lacan's thought in Argentina. The title alludes to the laborious and infinite practice of reading Lacan, rather than to a closed body of knowledge. Throughout its pages, the author reflects on Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalytic theory, focusing on the idea that any inquiry into objects and relationships must begin with the study of the types of lack of object. A key text for understanding the reception of Lacanian psychoanalysis in the Spanish-speaking world.
What is it about?
The book articulates a series of theoretical works that approach Jacques Lacan's complex body of work from a critical and foundational perspective. It begins with the transcendental talk Masotta gave in 1964 at the Pichon-Rivière Institute, titled "Jacques Lacan or the Unconscious in the Foundations of Philosophy," in a context where there were not yet any Lacanian psychoanalysts in the country. From there, the author develops a reflection inseparable from psychoanalytic practice, exploring how Lacan took up the Freudian legacy to propose that psychoanalysis must inquire into the types of lack of object rather than into the objects themselves. It is, in essence, a study on the reading and practice of psychoanalysis.
Main themes
- Introduction and reception of Lacanian psychoanalysis in Argentina.
- The relationship between the unconscious and the foundations of philosophy.
- The theory of the lack of object as the axis of psychoanalytic reflection.
- The practice of reading Lacan's work as an infinite and laborious process.
- The critique and reinterpretation of the Freudian legacy from the Lacanian perspective.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals of psychoanalysis, psychology, and philosophy interested in the work of Jacques Lacan and its dissemination in the Spanish-speaking world. It is also of great value to researchers studying the history of psychoanalysis in Argentina and the thought of Oscar Masotta, as well as to readers with a solid prior background who wish to delve into the theoretical foundations of psychoanalytic practice.
What this book offers
- Offers historical testimony of the initial reception of Lacan's thought in Argentina.
- Presents a rigorous and detailed analysis of key concepts such as the lack of object.
- Provides a reflection on the practice of reading as an essential part of psychoanalytic work.
- Allows for an understanding of the evolution of Masotta's thought and its link to Freudian and Lacanian work.
Technical details
- Author: Ariel Magnus
- Publisher: Eterna Cadencia SL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literature and literary studies, Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Ex Libris
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: May 2011
- Number of pages: 176
- Weight: 240 g
Editorial assessment
This is an essential reference work for anyone wishing to understand the beginnings of Lacanism in the Spanish-speaking world. Its value lies as much in its theoretical content, which unravels complex concepts with clarity, as in its historical relevance. The reader will find a deep analysis and a reflection that, far from being a manual, invites the constant practice of critical reading. It is, without a doubt, a valuable addition to any library specializing in psychoanalysis.