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Christian Fierens

Jouissance Principle: Kant, Sade and Lacan on the Ethical Functioning of the Unconscious

Jouissance Principle: Kant, Sade and Lacan on the Ethical Functioning of the Unconscious

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  • More about Jouissance Principle: Kant, Sade and Lacan on the Ethical Functioning of the Unconscious


The Jouissance Principle explores the concept of jouissance, a Lacanian term that refers to enjoyment experienced in different ways, and offers a new and rigorous explanation of it as a third principle in the functioning of the unconscious. It also discusses the role of psychoanalysis in relaunching the functioning of the unconscious and the relationship between pleasure, ethics, and rationality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 19 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd


This comprehensive book delves into the intricate concept of jouissance, a term coined by the renowned psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. Jouissance, which encompasses a wide range of experiences of enjoyment, extends from the pleasure derived from actions that may be ethically questionable to the subtle pleasure found in and through a patient's symptoms. In his exploration, Christian Fierens presents a fresh and rigorous interpretation of jouissance as a third principle in the functioning of the unconscious, alongside the technical and pleasure principles.

The Jouissance Principle offers a comprehensive cross-reading of two pivotal works: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason and Lacan's paper "Kant with Sade." Through this analysis, Fierens elucidates how the unconscious operates as a genuinely ethical process. Moreover, the book delves into the role of psychoanalysis in revitalizing the functioning of the unconscious, outlining the fourth form of Lacan's object a and its significance in the psychoanalytic journey.

An engaging discussion of the interplay between pleasure, ethics, and rationality, The Jouissance Principle appeals to scholars of psychoanalysis and European philosophy, as well as providing valuable insights for clinicians seeking practical and ethical guidance in their practice. By unraveling the complexities of jouissance, this book offers a profound exploration of the human psyche and its profound implications for understanding and treating mental health disorders.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367519018

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