The Title of the Letter: A Reading of Lacan (SUNY series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy)

This book is a close reading of Jacques Lacan's seminal essay, “The Agency of the Letter in the Unconscious or Reason Since Freud, ” selected for the particular light it casts on Lacan's complex relation to linguistics, psychoanalysis, and philosophy. It clarifies the way Lacan renews or transforms the psychoanalytic field, through his diversion of Saussure's theory of the sign, his radicalization of Freud's fundamental concepts, and his subversion of dominant philosophical values. The authors argue, however, that Lacan's discourse is marked by a deep ambiguity: while he invents a new “language,” he nonetheless maintains the traditional metaphysical motifs of systemacity, foundation, and truth.Jean-Luc Nancy and Philippe Lacoue-Labarthe are Professors of Philosophy at the University of Strasbourg, France. They are the authors of The Literary Absolute, also published by SUNY Press. Nancy is also the author of The Inoperative Community. Lacoue-Labarthe authored Typography. François Raffoul is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. David Pettigrew teaches philosophy at Southern Connecticut State University. This Book Is A Close Reading Of Jacques Lacan's Seminal Essay, The Agency Of The Letter In The Unconscious Or Reason Since Freud, Selected For The Particular Light It Casts On Lacan's Complex Relation To Linguistics, Psychoanalysis, And Philosophy. It Clarifies The Way Lacan Renews Or Transforms The Psychoanalytic Field, Through His Diversion Of Saussure's Theory Of The Sign, His Radicalization Of Freud's Fundamental Concepts, And His Subversion Of Dominant Philosophical Values. The Authors Argue, However, That Lacan's Discourse Is Marked By A Deep Ambiguity: While He Invents A New Language, He Nonetheless Maintains The Traditional Metaphysical Motifs Of Systemacity, Foundation, And Truth. Setting The Scene -- A Turn Of Reading -- Part 1: The Logic Of The Signifier -- The Science Of The Letter -- Algorithm And Operation -- The Tree Of The Signifier -- Significance -- Part 2: The Strategy Of The Signifier -- Strategy -- System And Combination -- Truth Homologated. Jean-luc Nancy And Philippe Lacoue-labarthe ; Translated By David Pettigrew And François Raffoul. Translation Of: Le Titre De La Lettre. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents......Page 6 Translators’ Preface......Page 8 Foreword to the Third French Edition......Page 28 Setting the Scene......Page 32 A Turn of Reading......Page 36 Part I The Logic of the Signifier......Page 50 1. The Science of the Letter......Page 58 2. Algorithm and Operation......Page 64 3. The Tree of the Signifier......Page 82 4. Signifiance......Page 92 Part II The Strategy of the Signifier......Page 110 1. Strategy......Page 118 2. System and Combination......Page 136 3. Truth "Homologated"......Page 164 Index......Page 180