Description
JACQUES THE SOPHIST
Book Summary
In this work, the philosopher and Hellenist Barbara Cassin explores the fascinating connection between Lacanian psychoanalysis and the sophistic tradition of ancient Greece. Starting from a statement by Lacan in 1965, the book unravels how the analytical word and sophistic discourse share mechanisms and strategies, questioning Aristotle's principle of non-contradiction. The reader will find a rigorous analysis that illuminates the relationship between language, truth, and meaning in the work of Jacques Lacan, offering an original perspective on contemporary psychoanalytic practice.
What is it about?
The book begins with Lacan's provocative thesis that the psychoanalyst is the sophist of our time. Barbara Cassin uses her deep knowledge of ancient philosophy to demonstrate the structural similarities between the discourse of psychoanalysis and sophistic rhetoric. It analyzes how both operate on the margins of meaning, working with slips of the tongue, jokes, and paradoxes to reveal what conventional language hides. The work focuses on the critical dialogue between Lacan and Aristotle, especially regarding the principle of non-contradiction, and proposes that the Lacanian statement "there is no sexual relationship" occupies a place analogous to that of the first Aristotelian principles, thus redefining the foundations of thought and speech.
Main themes
- The relationship between Lacanian psychoanalysis and classical sophistry.
- Critique of Aristotle's principle of non-contradiction from a Lacanian perspective.
- Function of language, slips of the tongue, and jokes in the production of meaning and nonsense.
- The analytical word as a discursive practice that destabilizes established truths.
- The place of the statement "there is no sexual relationship" as a new first philosophical principle.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at psychoanalysts, students, and professionals of psychoanalysis interested in delving deeper into the work of Jacques Lacan from a philosophical perspective. It is also of great interest to philosophers, Hellenists, and scholars of rhetoric seeking to understand the connections between ancient thought and contemporary theories of language and the subject. Readers with previous training in psychoanalysis or philosophy will find in this work a stimulating and erudite analysis.
What this book contributes
- An original and rigorous reading of Lacan's work in light of ancient philosophy.
- Conceptual tools to understand the function of language and nonsense in psychoanalytic clinical practice.
- An interdisciplinary dialogue that enriches both the field of psychoanalysis and that of philosophy.
- A critical perspective on the logical foundations of Western thought, based on the Lacanian proposal.
Technical details
- Author: Barbara Cassin
- Publisher: Manantial Ediciones SRL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Psychology, Clinical Psychology
- Collection: Bordes
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: November 2013
- Number of pages: 192
- Weight: 207 g
Editorial review
This work offers a relevant contribution for those seeking to understand the philosophical roots of Lacanian thought. The author manages to build a solid bridge between sophistry and psychoanalysis, providing an erudite and provocative look that invites us to rethink the status of truth and language. Its specialized approach makes it a valuable read for an academic and professional audience interested in the intersections between philosophy and clinical practice.