Techne and Mysticism: Courting Psychosis?
File version
Author(s)
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
238062 bytes
File type(s)
application/pdf
Location
License
Abstract
This discussion charts the oscillation of the human subject between the borders of mysticism and psychosis that are constitutive of the perverse social relation. In the work of Jacques Lacan and Slavoj ek, this perverse social relation codifies the symbolic universe of social reality through a law of the limit, of jouissance. To this end the discussion will show how Lacan's discussion of the Lady from the medieval traditions of courtly love opens up new critical paths towards understanding the subject constituted by the symbolic universe when it is sustained by perversion. By examining the triad of the Lady, the subject, and the figure of perverse paternal authority, the anal Freudian Father or jouisseur, it will be shown how the risk of psychosis is central to the increasingly mystical relation of the subject to their own jouissance which is plagued by its endless sacrifice and resuscitation by the jouisseur. Herein mysticism will be tested as the unique way that the subject circumvents psychosis while they are rendered as a subject by the symbolic universe of the jouisseur.
Journal Title
International Journal of Zizek Studies
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
4
Issue
4
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© The Author(s) 2010. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. It is posted here with permission of the copyright owner for your personal use only. No further distribution permitted. For information about this journal please refer to the journal's website or contact the author.
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Psychoanalytic Philosophy
Sociology
Literary Studies
History and Philosophy of Specific Fields