Oliver Harris - Lacan’s Return to Antiquity: between nature and the gods

Lacans Return to Antiquity is the first book devoted to the role of classical antiquity in Lacans work. Oliver Harris poses a question familiar from studies of Freud: what are Ancient Greece and Rome doing in a twentieth-century theory of psychology? In Lacans case, the issue has an additional edge, for he employs antiquity to demonstrate what is radically new about psychoanalysis. It is a tool with which to convey the revolutionary power of Freuds ideas by digging down to the philosophical questions beneath them. It is through these questions that Lacan allies psychoanalysis with the pioneering intellectual developments of his time in anthropology, philosophy, art and literature.

Harris begins by considering the role of Plato and Socrates in Lacans conflicted thoughts on teaching, writing and the process of becoming an intellectual icon. In doing so, he provides a way into considering the uniquely challenging nature of the Lacanian texts themselves and the live performances behind them. Two central chapters explore when and why myth is drawn upon in psychoanalysis, its threat to the disciplines scientific aspirations, and Lacans embrace of its expressive potential. The final chapters explore Lacans defence of tragedy and his return to Ovidian themes. These include the unwitting voyeurism of Actaeon and the fate of Narcissus, a figure of tragic metamorphosis that Freud places at the heart of infantile development.

Lacans Return to Antiquity brings to Lacan studies the close reading and crossdisciplinary research that has proved fruitful in understanding Freuds invention of psychoanalysis. It will appeal to psychoanalysts and advanced students studying in the field, being of particular value to those interested in the roots of Lacanian concepts, the evolution of his thought, and the cultural context of his work. What emerges is a more nuanced, self-critical figure, a corrective to the reputation for dogmatism and obscurity that Lacan has attracted. In the process, new light is thrown on enduring controversies, from Lacans pronouncements on feminine sexuality to the opaque drama of the seminars themselves.

Oliver Harris is a novelist and academic. He holds an MA in Shakespeare Studies from UCL, and a PhD on classical myth and psychoanalysis from the London Consortium (Birkbeck). He has taught at Birkbeck, London Metropolitan University and Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

This book makes a compelling case for returning, with Lacan, to antiquity, and by doing so Oliver Harris shows the reader how it is possible to open up and thereby also lay anew the foundations for an innovative reading of Lacanian psychoanalysis. Lacans Return to Antiquity accomplishes its task with clarity and energy, bringing a writers craft to bear on telling us what we should already have known, and thereby striking a conceptual blow aprs-coup for antiquity with Lacan.

Ian Parker, psychoanalyst, Professor of Management, University of Leicester

Much like Freud, Lacan had a lifelong compulsion for antiquity, although in his case it was definitely more focused on hommelettes than on statuettes. In this brilliantly researched and masterfully written book, Oliver Harris explains why the study of Plato and Aristotle is as important for the development of Lacans thought as the reading of Freud himself, and he shows how key Lacanian notions cannot be fully understood without a return to classical antiquity. Avoiding the Bacchic frenzy that often accompanies the contemporary Lacan-cult, this book stands out as a new beacon, which will cast its light on the roots of Lacanian psychoanalysis for many years to come.

Dany Nobus, Professor of Psychoanalytic Psychology and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Brunel University London; chair of the Freud Museum London

The exploration of Lacans engagement with the Classics sheds a novel and appealing light on his thinking. In this sparkling study, Oliver Harris shows how fruitful for Lacans ideas, no less than for Freuds, were the writings of classical authors from the Presocratics and Plato to Plautus and Ovid. The deep-rooted connections of ancient myth, philosophy and literature with Lacans insights into sexuality, creativity and fantasy allow Harris to present an original and engaging exploration of key texts for both psychoanalysis and the Classics.

Armand DAngour, Associate Professor of Classics, Oxford University

LACANS RETURN TO ANTIQUITY

Between nature and the gods

Oliver Harris

First published 2017

by Routledge

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge

711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2017 Oliver Harris

The right of Oliver Harris to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Names: Harris, Oliver, 1978- author.

Title: Lacans Return to Antiquity : between nature and the gods / Oliver Harris.

Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016001406 (print) | LCCN 2016009826 (ebook) | ISBN 9781138820371 (hardback) | ISBN 9781138820388 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781315743929 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Lacan, Jacques, 1901-1981. | Psychoanalysis and philosophy. | Civilization, Classical.

Classification: LCC BF109.L23 H37 2016 (print) | LCC BF109.L23 (ebook) | DDC 150.19/5092--dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016001406

ISBN: 978-1-138-82037-1 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-138-82038-8 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-315-74392-9 (ebk)

Id like to thank Steve Connor for sharing his knowledge, irreverence and intellectual excitement, offering supervision with equal measures of support and trust. The London Consortium provided an astonishing academic environment in which to enjoy three years of research: thank you to all who made it happen, friends and faculty. More broadly, it was a privilege to be part of Birkbecks inspiring nocturnal community. Big thanks to Matt Taunton, without whose encouragement I would never have found my way there, and who has offered continuing support over the years.

Dany Nobus provided insight and expertise when it was needed most. Parveen Adams was generous with both conversation and resources at a seminal stage. Lionel Bailly contributed multiple suggestions and a most uplifting interrogation as part of the final examination. A very large thank you to Ian Parker, who not only saved the day but proved to be an invaluable person to meet, lending assistance ever since. Not least of his contributions was an introduction to Armand DAngour, who shared his classical knowledge with generosity and tolerance. Needless to say, any errors remain my own.