From an Other to the other, Book XVI

To Sollers,Claudel was the man who wrote that "Paradise is around us at this very moment, all its forests attentive like a great orchestra that invisibly adores and implores." To Lacan, "We are all familiar with hell, it is everyday life." Lacan evacuated from the rue dUlm along with his audience, not without resistance or an uproar, and spoke to young people who were still fired up by the events of May 1968 about revolution, knowledge, censorship, perversion, models of hysteria and obsession, and the relationship between jouissance and speech and language.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Lacan, in his writings, holds a unique perspective on Claudel, emphasizing his belief that paradise is not just a distant concept but is actually present around us, enveloping us in its attentive forests, akin to a magnificent orchestra that invisibly adores and implores. The entirety of the universe, with its notes cascading into the depths of the abyss, where the wonders of our dimensions are etched, is seen as a testament to this paradisiacal presence.

In contrast, Lacan's perspective on the concept of hell differs significantly from Sollers' interpretation. Lacan asserts in a seminar that we are all familiar with hell, referring to our everyday lives. However, he argues that this hell lacks the elements of adoration, an invisible orchestra, vertigo, or wonders that Sollers associates with it. Instead, Lacan's version of hell is characterized by a lack of these extravagant elements.

Let us delve deeper into Lacan's interpretation. He evacuated from the rue dUlm along with his audience, sparking resistance and uproar. What led to this fate? Lacan had spoken not only to psychoanalysts but also to young people who were still energized by the events of May 1968. Despite their enthusiasm for revolution and their desire to subvert the university system, they accepted Lacan as a master of discourse while simultaneously harboring dreams of revolutionizing the system.

What did Lacan impart to these young individuals? He emphasized that "revolution" entails returning to the same place, a concept that challenges the conventional understanding of change. He argued that knowledge, which has gained uncontrollable power, now imposes its law on power. Moreover, Lacan cautioned against the notion that thought itself can be censored, recognizing it as a form of self-censorship. He delved into various topics, including Marx, Pascal's wager, set theory, perversion, hysteria, and obsession. These subjects intertwine, sparking curiosity and captivation.

Throughout his seminar, Lacan engages in a dialogue with himself, delving into the subject of jouissance and the relationship between jouissance and speech and language. He questions the nature of pleasure and the ways in which it manifests itself through language and speech. Lacan's insights into these complex subjects offer a profound exploration of the human psyche, challenging our assumptions and illuminating new perspectives on the nature of existence.

In conclusion, Lacan's writings provide a unique and thought-provoking perspective on Claudel and the concept of hell. While Sollers focuses on the grandeur and awe-inspiring aspects of paradise, Lacan delves into the darker and more mundane aspects of everyday life, highlighting the challenges and complexities we face in our daily existence. Through his seminar, Lacan offers profound insights into the human psyche, challenging our assumptions and illuminating new perspectives on the nature of pleasure, knowledge, power, and thought. His work continues to inspire and provoke scholars and thinkers alike, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding.

ISBN-13: 9781509510054