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"Deconstructing Language: Derrida's Critique on Aristotle and Lacan"

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Introduction Language and its intricate relationship with thought, representation, and meaning have been the subject of profound philosophical and psychoanalytical inquiry. This text explores the communication between Lacanian and Aristotelian theories of language, while also examining how Jacques Derrida's critique of Aristotle's theory in "Of Grammatology" can be extended to Lacan's framework. By analyzing these interconnected perspectives, we shed light on the complexities and challenges inherent in understanding language and signification. Some Memorable Lines: De Interpretatione (16a3-8) Semioticians and philosophers are familiar with the following lines from Aristotle’s "On Interpretation," which have sparked much inquiry in the philosophy of language and signs: "Now spoken sounds are symbols of affections in the soul, and written marks symbols of spoken sounds. And just as written marks are not the same for all men, neither are spoken

Lacan's Point de Capiton: A Deeper Look into the Intersection of Signifier and Signified

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Introduction The French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan made significant contributions to the field of psychoanalysis, particularly in understanding the complexities of language, discourse, and human subjectivity. One of his notable concepts, the "Point de Capiton," is central to his theories and provides insight into the relationship between the signifier and the signified. In this text, we will explore the Point de Capiton in Lacan's theories, its connection to Saussurean linguistics, and Lacan's unique use of Saussure's terminology, specifically the terms signifier and signified. We will also discuss how Lacan's ideas deviate from Saussure's synchronic articulation of these elements. The Point de Capiton: Lacan's Concept The Point de Capiton, or "quilting point" in English, is a crucial concept in Lacanian psychoanalysis. It represents the moment where the signifier and the signified are anchored or knotted together, providing stabilit

The Birth of Semiology: Saussure's Impact on Linguistics

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  « On peut donc concevoir une science qui étudie la vie des signes au sein de la vie sociale… ; nous la nommerons sémiologie » . [CLG] [33]   Introduction: At the entrance of Ferdinand de Saussure's birthplace in Geneva, a commemorative plaque bears the phrase that announced the birth of semiotics: " It is therefore possible to conceive of a science which studies the role of signs as part of social life ... We shall call it semiology. " [CGL] [33] This statement encapsulates the revolutionary vision of the Swiss linguist, who fundamentally transformed the study of language and communication. In his seminal work, "Cours de linguistique générale" (Course in General Linguistics), Saussure introduced the concept of "semiology," a discipline focused on understanding the role of signs within social life. His groundbreaking distinctions between "langue" (the underlying system of language), "parole" (individual speech acts), an