HOW TO READ LACAN

"The only thing of which one can be guilty is of having given ground relative to
one's desire." - Jacques Lacan. Is psychoanalysis dead or are we to read freque
nt attacks on its theoretical 'mistakes' and clinical 'frauds' as a proof of its
vitality? Slavoj Zizek's passionate defence of Lacan reasserts the ethical urge
ncy of psychoanalysis. Traditionally, psychoanalysis was expected to allow the p
atient to overcome the obstacles which prevented access to 'normal' sexual enjoy
ment; today, however, we are bombarded from all sides by different versions of t
he injunction 'Enjoy!' Lacan reminds us that psychoanalysis is the only discours
e in which you are allowed not to enjoy.