This book presents the radically new theory of subjectivity found in the
work of Jacques Lacan. Against the tide of post-structuralist thinkers
who announce "the death of the subject," Bruce Fink explores what it
means to come into being as a subject where impersonal forces once
reigned, subjectify the alien roll of the dice at the beginning of our
universe, and make our own knotted web of our parents' desires that led
them to bring us into this world.
Lucidly guiding readers through the labyrinth of Lacanian
theory--unpacking such central notions as the Other, object a, the
unconscious as structures like a language, alienation and separation,
the paternal metaphor, jouissance, and sexual difference--Fink
demonstrates in-depth knowledge of Lacan's theoretical and clinical
work. Indeed, this is the first book to appear in English that displays
a firm grasp of both theory and practice of Lacanian psychoanalysis,
the author being one of the only Americans to have undergone full
training with Lacan's school in Paris.
Fink Leads the reader step by step into Lacan's conceptual system to
explain how one comes to be a subject--leading to psychosis. Presenting
Lacan's theory in the context of his clinical preoccupations, Fink
provides the most balanced, sophisticated, and penetrating view of
Lacan's work to date--invaluable to the initiated and the uninitiated
alike.