Jacques Lacan, French philosopher and psychiatrist: biography

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Jacques Lacan is a great French psychoanalyst and philosopher. He devoted his whole life to changing the world of psychology, making it more understandable and accessible. Because of this, he is considered one of the most prominent specialists in this field. In his popularity, he is second only to one person - the father of modern psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.

So, what is the life story of Jacques Lacan? How could he reach such heights in psychology? Who was his teacher and mentor? And how popular is Jacques Lacan's theory?

Happy childhood

The psychiatrist's full name is Jacques-Marie-Émile Lacan. The boy was lucky enough to be born in one of the most beautiful and melodic places on the planet, namely, in Paris. It happened on April 13, 1901 in the family of a vinegar merchant. It should be noted that the Lacan family was very conservative and devout. That is why in 1907 he was sent to study at St. Stanislaus Catholic College.

It is not known exactly when exactly Jacques Lacan wanted to become a psychoanalyst, howeverhis passion for understanding the human mind was noticeable from an early age. Probably, because of this, he wanted to connect his life with medicine.

Education and early years

Immediately after graduating from college in 1919, Jacques Lacan entered the local medical university. Naturally, he chooses psychiatry as his main direction. It was also during this period that he first became interested in the theories and practices of Sigmund Freud.

After graduating (in 1926), he was sent to practice at St. Anne's Hospital. Here, the outstanding psychiatrist of that time, Clerambault, known for his work on the analysis of the autonomous work of consciousness and paranoid delirium, becomes his curator.

A new student immediately wins the heart of his mentor with a genuine interest in the craft. And therefore, the teacher transfers to Lacan all his knowledge and developments, which greatly inspires the future doctor. A little later, he will share these words with his audience: “Clerambault is the only real teacher whom I was lucky to meet on my way.”

Key dates: pre-war period

• 1931 Graduated as a forensic psychiatrist. It is this date that can be considered the starting point from which Lacan's path as a psychotherapist began.
• 1932 - defense of a doctoral dissertation on the topic "Paranoid psychosis and its influence on personality." This work caused a real sensation among researchers of psychology and philosophy. Even Salvador Dali himself noted its significance and value for the future of psychotherapy.
• 1933 - wedding with Marie Blondin. Their marriage was an unstoppable passion that gave Jacques three wonderful children.
• 1936 - speech at the International Psychoanalytic Congress in England. It was here that he first presented his theory of the "Mirror", which would later become one of the doctrines of his teaching. True, his speech was interrupted due to a misunderstanding on the part of colleagues.
• 1938 - Jacques Lacan becomes a member of the Paris Psychotherapeutic Society. This allows him to work on his research with even more zeal and enthusiasm.

Key dates: post-war period

When the first shots were fired over the heads of the Europeans, Lacan decided to help his people in any way he could. That is why throughout the war he worked as a field doctor, saving the lives and souls of soldiers.

• 1953 is a time of great change in Lacan's life. This year his first wife dies, after which he marries Sylvia Bataille. He is also elected president of the Paris Psychoanalytic Society. But in the same year he left him, as his innovative policy aroused the indignation of students. Ultimately, Lacan founds his own Psychoanalytic Society of France (PSF).
• 1962 is the peak of the misunderstanding of Lacan's theory. The broad masses do not want to study his works, and therefore he is forbidden to lecture at ordinary universities. The only exception is Freud's school, which he founded.
• 1966 - the publication of the book "Written". It's turningmoment in Jacques' life, as his work overcame the wall of misunderstanding and became a real bestseller.
• 1969 - universal recognition. In addition to the usual success, he also opened the door to the teaching staff of universities. Moreover, he was even offered to head one of the departments of psychology.
• 1975 - now the whole world knows who Jacques Lacan is. Seminars and conferences with his participation were held throughout Europe and beyond. In particular, he began lecturing at some colleges in America.
• 1980 - Jacques closes the Freud school in Paris because he cannot manage it. But he opens a new society "Freud's cause" in the hope that his ideals will not be forgotten in the future.
• September 9, 1981 - Jacques Lacan dies. His last words are said to have been, "I'll stand my ground…I'm leaving."

Jacques Lacan: books

Unfortunately, most of Lacan's works could not survive to this day. After all, the great scientist did not like to write down his thoughts, and therefore many books about his teachings were written down from the words of his friends and colleagues.

And yet you can study the psychoanalysis of Jacques Lacan by reading his bestseller "The Written". Also in printed form are most of his seminars, which over the years have been translated into almost all languages of the world.

Also very interesting are his books that reveal the connection between speech and human consciousness. Their titles are: "The Function and Field of Speech of Language in Psychoanalysis" and "The Instance of the Letter in the Unconscious, or the Fate of the Mind after Freud."

Jacques Lacan quotes

I would like to finish the biography of Lacan with a small set of his quotes. After all, only they can show exactly how Jacques was in real life.

• "Before speaking, there is neither true nor false."
• "For a fiction to please me, there must be something strange about it, even to myself."
• "Hatred, like love itself, is a limitless field."
• "Censorship is only for deception through lies."
• "The world of words always gives birth to the world of things."