Description
COLLECTION FOLLOWED BY AVARICE
Book Summary
An essay that invites reflection on the act of collecting, not from the perspective of the collector or private collections, but as a general phenomenon that reveals the essence of the object in Lacanian psychoanalysis. Gérard Wajcman explores the drive to gather objects, subsequently analyzing avarice as one of the seven deadly sins, often disparaged and considered an anachronistic habit. Both inquiries converge to demonstrate the validity of the concept of the object in Lacan’s work, both in modernity and in our contemporary era.
What is it about?
The book is structured into two complementary parts. In the first, the author examines the collection as an abstract concept, investigating what it means to put objects together beyond mere accumulation. He questions the logic underlying this act and why it is fundamental to understanding the notion of the object in psychoanalysis. In the second part, he addresses avarice, one of the deadly sins, analyzing why it has been considered an ugly, repulsive, and unmodern habit. Through both analyses, Wajcman demonstrates how the figure of the object, as conceived by Jacques Lacan, remains central to understanding the psychic and cultural dynamics of our time.
Main themes
- The collection as a psychoanalytic and cultural concept, beyond concrete objects.
- Avarice as a deadly sin and its social valuation as an anachronistic habit.
- The object in Lacanian theory as a bridge between the drive to gather and possession.
- The relevance of Lacanian psychoanalysis in interpreting phenomena of modernity and contemporary life.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in Lacanian psychoanalysis, contemporary philosophy, and literary essays that explore clinical psychology. It will also be of interest to those seeking a deep reflection on the nature of possession, desire, and objects in current culture.
What this book contributes
- An original perspective on the act of collecting, far removed from anecdotal or historical approaches.
- A rigorous analysis of avarice that challenges its consideration as a mere vice.
- Keys to understanding the notion of the object in Jacques Lacan's work.
- A reading that connects psychoanalytic concepts with contemporary cultural phenomena.
Technical sheet
- Author: Gérard Wajcman
- Publisher: Manantial Ediciones SRL
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Literary essays, Psychology, Clinical psychology
- Collection: Bordes
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: February 2011
- Number of pages: 108
- Weight: 152 g
Editorial review
A brief but dense work that offers a double theoretical inquiry of great interest to specialists and enthusiasts of psychoanalysis. Wajcman succeeds in articulating two apparently disparate themes—collection and avarice—around the Lacanian concept of the object, demonstrating its relevance for analyzing both the individual psyche and social dynamics. His rigorous approach and his ability to connect theory and contemporaneity make it a recommended read for those seeking to delve into Lacan's thought from an original and current perspective.