The Seminar of Jacques Lacan

1. Resistance Reveals the Subject's Truth

Everything which destroys/suspends/changes the continuation of the work is a resistance.

Resistance as a Signpost: Resistance isn't merely an obstacle; it's a crucial indicator of the subject's proximity to repressed material. It signals the point where the subject's discourse is nearing a pathogenic nucleus, a core of meaning they are actively avoiding. By understanding the nature of this resistance, the analyst can gain insight into the subject's unconscious.

Beyond the Ego: Resistance isn't solely a product of the ego's defenses. It stems from a deeper source, a refusal to confront the truth of the subject's history. This truth isn't simply a collection of past events, but a re-historicization of the past in the present, shaped by the subject's current subjectivity.

The Analyst's Role: The analyst's task isn't to break down resistance, but to understand its function. By carefully observing the points of resistance, the analyst can guide the subject towards a more complete understanding of their own history and desires. This process requires respecting the subject's defenses while simultaneously challenging them.

2. Transference: More Than Just a Two-Person Dynamic

Experience shows that it is at this point that transference emerges.

Transference as a Radial Force: Transference isn't simply a phenomenon that occurs between the analyst and the analysand; it's a force that emerges as the subject's discourse approaches the repressed center. It's a way for the unconscious to express itself, often in the form of feelings or ideas directed towards the analyst.

The Triadic Nature of Analysis: The analytic situation isn't a simple dyad; it's a triadic relationship involving the analyst, the analysand, and the symbolic order. Speech acts as the third element, mediating the interaction between the two individuals. This perspective highlights the importance of language in shaping the analytic experience.

Presence and Resistance: At the most sensitive point of resistance, the subject often experiences an abrupt perception of the analyst's presence. This feeling of presence marks a turning point in the discourse, a shift from one aspect of speech to another. It's a moment of heightened awareness that can be both unsettling and transformative.

3. The Symbolic Order Shapes the Imaginary

The ego is constituted in relation to the other. It is its correlative.

The Ego and the Other: The ego isn't an isolated entity; it's formed in relation to the other. The level at which the other is experienced directly influences the subject's sense of self. This intersubjective dynamic is crucial for understanding the ego's function in analysis.

Rewriting History: The analytic process isn't about simply remembering the past; it's about rewriting history. The subject's history is not a fixed narrative, but a fluid and evolving construction shaped by their present understanding. This rewriting process allows the subject to integrate previously repressed material and create a more coherent sense of self.

The Materiality of Discourse: Speech isn't just a means of communication; it's a material force that shapes the subject's reality. The analyst must recognize the materiality of discourse, understanding that words have a concrete impact on the subject's psyche. This perspective highlights the importance of careful listening and interpretation.

4. The Analyst's Role: From Ego to the Symbolic

We speak only to the ego, we are in communication with the ego alone, everything is channelled via the ego.

Beyond Ego Psychology: Contemporary analytic doctrines often overemphasize the role of the ego, leading to a manipulation of the analyst-analysand relationship. The analyst's role isn't to strengthen the ego, but to facilitate the subject's access to the symbolic order. This requires moving beyond ego psychology and focusing on the underlying structures that shape the subject's experience.

The Analyst's Prejudices: The analyst's ego, with its own set of prejudices and beliefs, can inadvertently influence the analytic process. It's crucial for the analyst to be aware of their own subjectivity and to avoid imposing their worldview on the analysand. This requires a constant self-critique and a willingness to question one's own assumptions.

The Triad of Speech: The analytic experience must be formulated within a three-term relation, not a two-term one. Speech is the central feature, and it is within a three-term relation that we have to formulate the analytic experience in its totality.

5. The Power of Speech: Beyond Expression to Revelation

It is less a matter of remembering than of rewriting history.

Speech as Revelation: The unconscious isn't simply expressed through language; it's revealed through it. This revelation occurs through deformation, distortion, and transportation. The analyst's task is to facilitate this revelation by creating a space for the subject to speak freely.

Empty vs. Full Speech: There's a distinction between empty speech, which is devoid of personal meaning, and full speech, which realizes the truth of the subject. The goal of analysis is to move the subject from empty speech to full speech, allowing them to access their unconscious desires and conflicts.

The Call to Bear Witness: One of the most elevated functions of speech is the call to bear witness. This involves the subject inviting the analyst to acknowledge their truth, to recognize their existence as a speaking being. This call is a crucial step in the analytic process, as it allows the subject to move beyond the limitations of their ego.

6. Narcissism: A Necessary Stage, Not an End in Itself

The value of the object may be a purely tactical one and may perhaps emerge only in this one battle.

Narcissism and the Analytic Experience: The analyst must understand the dynamics of narcissism to effectively guide the subject through the analytic process. The goal isn't to eliminate narcissism, but to help the subject integrate it into a more complete understanding of themselves.

The Dynamics of Transference: The dynamics of transference are closely linked to the subject's narcissistic investments. The analyst must be aware of how the subject's narcissistic needs are being projected onto them and how these projections are shaping the analytic relationship.

The Illusion of Presence: At a certain point in the analytic process, the subject may experience an abrupt perception of the analyst's presence. This feeling of presence is a manifestation of resistance, a way for the subject to avoid confronting the truth of their own desires. The analyst must be aware of this dynamic and avoid being drawn into the subject's imaginary world.

7. The Super-Ego: Law Without Meaning

The super-ego is a law deprived of meaning, but one which nevertheless only sustains itself by language.

The Super-Ego as a Linguistic Construct: The super-ego isn't simply an internal agency; it's a linguistic construct, a set of rules and prohibitions that are internalized through language. It's a law deprived of meaning, but one that sustains itself through language.

Beyond the Pleasure Principle: The super-ego isn't simply a force that opposes the pleasure principle; it's a force that shapes the subject's desire. It's a way for the subject to internalize the demands of society and to regulate their own behavior.

The Super-Ego and the Other: The super-ego is always linked to the other, to the figures of authority who have shaped the subject's life. It's a way for the subject to internalize the expectations and demands of these figures and to regulate their own behavior in accordance with them.

8. The Interplay of Real, Imaginary, and Symbolic in Analysis

The fundamental absurdity of inter human behavior can only be comprehended in the light of this system- as Melanie Klein so happily called it, not knowing, as usual, what she was saying - called the human ego, namely that set of defences, of denials [negations], of dams, of inhibitions, of fundamental fantasies which orient and direct the subject.

The Ego as a System of Defenses: The ego is a complex system of defenses, denials, and inhibitions that orients and directs the subject. It's a way for the subject to protect themselves from the anxieties and conflicts that arise from their unconscious desires.

The Importance of the Symbolic: The symbolic order is crucial for understanding the human subject. It's through language and culture that we make sense of our experiences and construct our identities. The analyst must be attuned to the symbolic dimensions of the subject's discourse in order to guide them towards a more complete understanding of themselves.

The Real as That Which Resists Symbolization: The real is that which resists symbolization, that which cannot be fully captured by language or representation. It's the raw, unmediated experience that lies beyond the reach of our conscious understanding. The analyst must be aware of the limitations of language and representation in order to avoid reducing the subject to a set of abstract concepts.

9. The Analyst's Position: Ignorantia Docta

The introduction of an order of determinations into human existence, into the domain of meaning, is what we call reason.

The Analyst as a Blank Slate: The analyst must adopt a position of ignorantia docta, a learned ignorance. This means approaching the subject with an open mind, free from preconceived notions and theoretical biases. The analyst's role isn't to impose their own understanding on the subject, but to facilitate the subject's own process of self-discovery.

The Analyst as a Mirror: The analyst serves as a mirror for the subject, reflecting back their words and actions in a way that allows them to see themselves more clearly. This requires a careful and attentive listening, a willingness to be surprised, and a commitment to remaining open to the unexpected.

The Analyst as a Guide: The analyst guides the subject through the process of self-discovery, helping them to navigate the complexities of their unconscious and to make sense of their experiences. This requires a delicate balance of empathy and detachment, a willingness to challenge the subject's defenses while simultaneously providing a safe and supportive space for them to explore their inner world.

10. The Goal of Analysis: Rewriting History, Not Just Reliving It

When all is said and done, it is less a matter of remembering than of rewriting history.

Reconstruction vs. Reliving: The goal of analysis isn't simply to relive past experiences, but to reconstruct them in a way that makes sense in the present. This reconstruction involves a process of interpretation, translation, and re-signification.

The Subject as Author: The subject isn't simply a passive recipient of their history; they are an active author, shaping and reshaping their narrative in accordance with their current needs and desires. The analyst's role is to help the subject become a more conscious and intentional author of their own story.

The Function of Time: Time plays a crucial role in the analytic process. The past isn't simply a static set of events; it's a dynamic force that continues to shape the present. The analyst must be attuned to the temporal dimensions of the subject's experience in order to guide them towards a more complete understanding of themselves.

11. Love and Hate: Two Sides of the Same Imaginary Coin

Feelings are always reciprocated.

The Reciprocity of Feelings: In any intersubjective relationship, feelings are always reciprocated, even if they aren't always expressed directly. The analyst must be aware of the reciprocal nature of feelings in the analytic relationship and to avoid being drawn into a cycle of projection and counter-projection.

The Dangers of Intentionality: The analyst must be cautious about attributing intentionality to the subject's actions. The subject's behavior may be driven by unconscious forces that are beyond their conscious control. The analyst's role is to help the subject become more aware of these forces and to take responsibility for their actions.

The Importance of a Third Term: In the interpretation of defenses, there should always be at least a third term. In fact, you need more than that, and I hope to be able to prove it to you. But I am only opening up the problem today.

12. The Unconscious: A Cryptogram to Be Translated

Traume, dreams, sind auch erinnern, are also a way of remembering.

The Unconscious as a Cryptogram: The unconscious isn't simply a repository of repressed memories; it's a complex system of symbols and codes that must be translated. The analyst's role is to help the subject decipher this cryptogram and to understand the hidden meanings that lie beneath the surface of their conscious experience.

The Importance of Language: Language is the key to unlocking the secrets of the unconscious. The analyst must be attuned to the nuances of language, to the subtle shifts in meaning and tone that can reveal the subject's hidden desires and conflicts.

The Limits of Consciousness: Consciousness is only a small part of the human psyche. The unconscious is a vast and powerful force that shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The analyst must be aware of the limitations of consciousness and to avoid reducing the subject to a set of conscious thoughts and beliefs.

Last updated: April 5, 2025