Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct Lacanian subject theory based on an analysis of the myth of “lamella,” which appears in the 11th volume of psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s Seminaire, The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis. Although the myth of lamella was not considered important in Lacan in previous studies, this paper searches its positive possibility by interpreting it as speaking of a movement of drive that operates at the level of the organes. At the same time, through this interpretation, the paper reconstructs a Lacanian subject theory based on the myth of lamella.
As a concrete work, we will first present the basic ideas of Lacanian subject theory by reviewing the basic components of Lacanian subject theory, namely the theories of “signifier,” “alienation,” and “separation.” Next, we compare Lacan’s theory of drive with Freud’s theory of drive and show that Lacan criticizes the absence of the concept “object a” in Freud. We then show that myth of lamella compensates for this Freudian shortcoming and, like Freud’s theory of drive, speaks of the movement of drive intrinsically in the organs. Finally, in contrast to the subject theory of the “slave” model in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, I will present a Lacanian subject theory that uses “sacrifice” as its model. However, Lacan himself maintained his position as a psychoanalyst and critically opposed this “sacrificial” subject. By comparing this theory with Saito Tamaki’s “otaku” theory, I show its applicability to cultural studies.
