Das Ding's Disappearing Act

Video Description

This talk discusses the strange disappearance of Jacques Lacan's concept of das Ding both during Seminar VII (The Ethics of Psychoanalysis) and in his thought afterward. Despite presenting das Ding as central during his introduction of the ethics of psychoanalysis, Lacan does not bring it up when he formulates his ethical position. This disappearance represents a missed opportunity, primarily because the conception of sublimation associated with das Ding provides an important avenue for challenging the generalized fetishism of capitalist society.