Review of Lacanian ethics and the assumption of subjectivity

• Reviews the book, Lacanian Ethics and the Assumption of Subjectivity by Calum Neill (2011). This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the French psychoanalyst’s ideas on subjectivity and ethics to academics and students at the postgraduate level. It represents a useful starting point for an exploration of the central Lacanian notion of the split subject, along with some related ideas such as fantasy, desire and the drive. The author is consistently thorough in his interpretations, and in his clear style he follows every argument through to its conclusion. The author is consistently thorough in his interpretations, and in his clear style he follows every argument through to its conclusion. It could be said that, while this book is largely about impossibilities, it is by no means an impossible book. The author's erudition and rigor make it a brilliant evocation of both Lacanian and traditional ethical thought. Whether the book’s conclusion proves to be satisfactory to readers depends largely on their interest in, and commitment to, Lacanian theory.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Lacanian ethics

subjectivity

psychoanalysts

academics

post-graduate students

Human

Postgraduate Students

Professional Ethics

Academic Achievement

Psychoanalytic Theory

article

3450:Professional Ethics & Standards & Liability

3143:Psychoanalytic Theory

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rec (subject category)