The Lacanian Subject

About this book

This book presents the radically new theory of subjectivity found in the work of Jacques Lacan. Against the tide of post-structuralist thinkers who announce "the death of the subject " Bruce Fink explores what it means to come into being as a subject where impersonal forces once reigned subjectify the alien roll of the dice at the beginning of our universe and make our own knotted web of our parents desires that led them to bring us into this world. Lucidly guiding readers through the labyrinth of Lacanian theory--unpacking such central notions as the Other object a the unconscious as structures like a language alienation and separation the paternal metaphor jouissance and sexual difference--Fink demonstrates in-depth knowledge of Lacans theoretical and clinical work. Indeed this is the first book to appear in English that displays a firm grasp of both theory and practice of Lacanian psychoanalysis the author being one of the only Americans to have undergone full training with Lacans school in Paris. Fink Leads the reader step by step into Lacans conceptual system to explain how one comes to be a subject--leading to psychosis. Presenting Lacans theory in the context of his clinical preoccupations Fink provides the most balanced sophisticated and penetrating view of Lacans work to date--invaluable to the initiated and the uninitiated alike.