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The Singularity of Being

Lacan and the Immortal Within

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The Singularity of Being

By: Mari Ruti
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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The Singularity of Being presents a Lacanian vision of what makes each of us an inimitable and irreplaceable creature. It argues that, unlike the "subject" (who comes into existence as a result of symbolic prohibition) or the "person" (who is aligned with the narcissistic conceits of the imaginary), the singular self emerges in response to a galvanizing directive arising from the real. This directive carries the force of an obligation that cannot be resisted and that summons the individual to a "character" beyond his or her social investments.

Consequently, singularity expresses something about the individual's non-negotiable distinctiveness, eccentricity, or idiosyncrasy at the same time it prevents both symbolic and imaginary closure. It opens to layers of rebelliousness, indicating that there are components of human life exceeding the realm of normative sociality.

Written with an unusual blend of rigor and clarity, The Singularity of Being combines incisive readings of Lacan with the best insights of recent Lacanian theory to reach beyond the dogmas of the field. Moving from what, thanks in part to Slavoj Zizek, has come to be known as the "ethics of the act" to a nuanced interpretation of Lacan's "ethics of sublimation", the book offers a sweeping overview of Lacan's thought while making an original contribution to contemporary theory and ethics.

Aimed at specialists and nonspecialists alike, the book manages to educate at the same time as it intervenes in current debates about subjectivity, agency, resistance, creativity, the self-other relationship, and effective political and ethical action. By focusing on the Lacanian real, Ruti honors the uniqueness of subjective experience without losing sight of the social and intersubjective components of human life.

©2012 Mari Ruti (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
European Literary History & Criticism Movements & Methodologies

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Interesting ideas - but high barrier to entry

This is definitely a book for those already familiar with Lacanian psychoanalytic theory, as well as some basic ideas from postmodernist philosophy. There is a lot of academic jargon at play, and those without a firm grounding will probably be lost quite quickly. For an entry-level introduction to Lacan, I recommend the Bolinda Beginner Guide (also on Audible).

For those looking for a more challenging text, there are some interesting ideas here, particularly on the application of Lacan to identity politics. The writing style can be a bit rambly (more concrete definitions of terms would have been useful), and but if you can understand the terminology, this book provides a useful perspective on Lacan’s ideas in a modern political context.

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A liberating exploration of Lacan, and the Real.

A refreshing alternative to Slavoj Zizek & others reading of Lacanian ideas, particularly The Real.

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