Psychoanalysis of Sense: Deleuze and the Lacanian School

Guillaume Collett's book explores Deleuze's relationship with the Lacanian School during the late-1960s, highlighting his engagement with psychoanalysis and offering a new interpretation of his work. Collett argues that Deleuze's The Logic of Sense (1969) can be read as a psychoanalysis of sense, and demonstrates how he integrated post-Lacanian Serge Leclaire's ideas into his own theory of the linguistic structure of the unconscious. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Deleuze's 1960s work within the context of the Lacanian School.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2018
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Guillaume Collett's book delves into the intricate relationship between Deleuze's psychoanalytic and philosophical engagements with the Lacanian School. Collett poses the intriguing question of whether we can trace Deleuze's position within the Lacanian School during the late 1960s, prior to the collaboration with Guattari. By offering a fresh and integrated interpretation of Deleuze's seminal work, The Logic of Sense (1969), Collett proposes that we view it as a profound psychoanalysis of sense. This perspective grants a novel understanding of Deleuze's conception of philosophy itself.

The Psychoanalysis of Sense reveals that Deleuze was not merely a passive observer of the debates that were animating the Lacanian School during the 1960s. Rather, he actively sought to contribute to these discussions. Collett highlights Deleuze's appropriation of the work of post-Lacanian Serge Leclaire, demonstrating how Deleuze constructed a more singular and immanent theory of the linguistic structure of the unconscious. This theory grants the erogenous body a larger structuring role, thereby enriching our understanding of the unconscious.

One of the key features of Collett's book is its dedication to situating Deleuze's 1960s work on psychoanalysis within the broader context of the Lacanian School. Through meticulous analysis, Collett demonstrates how Deleuze drew on various influences, including Lewis Carroll and Sacher-Masoch, to immanentize the work of the Lacanian School. This approach not only deepens our understanding of Deleuze's thought but also sheds light on the broader philosophical implications of his work.

In addition to his exploration of Deleuze's psychoanalytic and philosophical engagements, Collett offers a new reading of The Logic of Sense. By viewing it as a meta-philosophical precursor to Deleuze's later work, What is Philosophy?, Collett provides a fresh perspective on Deleuze's philosophical project. Through this lens, we can appreciate the interconnectedness of Deleuze's thought and the ways in which his early works laid the groundwork for his later, more complex formulations.

Overall, Guillaume Collett's book is a valuable contribution to the study of Deleuze and Lacanianism. It offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Deleuze's 1960s work, situating it within the broader context of the Lacanian School. Through his innovative interpretation and analysis, Collett provides a new understanding of Deleuze's philosophical project and its profound implications for contemporary thought.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474432269