Jacques Lacan, French philosopher and psychiatrist: biography

Jacques Lacan is a great French psychoanalyst and philosopher. All his life he devoted to changing the world of psychology, making it more understandable and accessible. Due to this, he is considered one of the most outstanding 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 full name of the psychiatrist is Jacques-Marie-Emile Lacan. The boy was lucky 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 pious. That is why in 1907 he was sent to study at the Catholic College of St. Stanislaus.

It is not known exactly when Jacques Lacan wanted to become a psychoanalyst, but his 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 enters the local medical university. Naturally, as the main direction, he chooses psychiatry. It was also during this period that he first became interested in the theories and practices of Sigmund Freud.

After graduation (in 1926), he was sent to practice in St. Anna's Hospital. Here, his curator is the eminent psychiatrist of the time, Clarambault, known for his work on analyzing the autonomous work of consciousness and paranoiac delirium.

A new student immediately captures the heart of his mentor with genuine interest in craft. Therefore, the teacher gives Lacan all his knowledge and experience, which greatly inspires the future doctor. A little later he will share his audience with these words: "Clerambo is the only real teacher that I was lucky to meet on my way."

Key dates: pre-war period

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

Key dates: the post-war period

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

• 1953 - the time of great changes in the life of Lacan. This year his first wife dies, after which he marries Sylvia Bataille. He is also elected to the presidency of the Paris Psychoanalytic Society. But in the same year he abandoned him, as his innovative policy aroused the indignation of students. Ultimately, Lacan founded his own Psychoanalytic Society of France (PFR).
• 1962 - the apogee of misunderstanding of Lacan's theory. The broad masses do not want to study his works, and therefore he is forbidden to conduct lectures in ordinary universities. The only exception is Freud's school, which he founded.
• 1966 - the output of the book "Written." This is a turning point in the life of Jacques, as his work has overcome the wall of misunderstanding and has become a real bestseller.
• 1969 - universal recognition. In addition to his usual success, he also opened the doors 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, as well as beyond. In particular, he began to give lectures in some colleges in America.
• 1980 Jacques closes the school of Freud in Paris, because he can not manage it. But he opens a new society "Freud's case" in the hope that his ideals in the future will not be forgotten.
• September 9, 1981 - Jacques Lacan dies. They say his last words were the phrase: "I'll stay on my ... I'm leaving."

Jacques Lacan: Books

Unfortunately, most of the works of Lacan could not live up to our days. After all, the great scientist did not like to write down his thoughts, and therefore many books about his teaching were written down with the words of his acquaintances and colleagues.

And yet you can learn the psychoanalysis of Jacques Lacan by reading his best-selling "Written." Also in printed form, there are most of its seminars, which over the years have been translated into almost all the languages of the world.

His books are also very interesting, revealing the connection between speech and human consciousness. Their names: "Function and field of language speech in psychoanalysis" and "Instance of the letter in the unconscious, or the fate of the mind after Freud."

Jacques Lacan: Quotes

To finish Lakan's biography you want a small set of his quotations. After all, only they can show what exactly Jacque was in real life.

• "Before the beginning of speech there is neither true nor false".
• "In order for fiction to bring me pleasure, it must have something strange, even for myself."
• "Hatred, like love itself, is an endless career."
• "Censorship is needed only for deception through lies."
• "The world of words always gives rise to the world of things."