Two Types of Jouissance & Desire
I've been doing some preliminary work and research for a writing project. Part of this work has involved trying to formalize and articulate the distinctions between., Other jouissance, phallic jouissance, and desire.
Here is a working hypothesis:
- Desire is how the subject relates to what is lost through the signifier.
- Phallic jouissance is the way the subject tries to enjoy despite the loss.
- Other jouissance is what escapes this economy altogether—what might be there before or beyond the signifier's intervention.
| Concept | Structure | Time Orientation | Symbolic Role | Subject Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desire | Structured by lack | Future-oriented | Result of castration/loss | Subject of the signifier |
| Phallic Jouissance | Limited by the Law | Present | Enjoyment through the signifier | Subject marked by castration |
| Other Jouissance | Not-all, beyond the Law | Present or timeless | Excess beyond the symbolic | Feminine position (structural) |
| Concept | Structure | Time Orientation | Symbolic Role | Subject Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desire | Structured by lack | Future-oriented | Result of castration/loss | Subject of the signifier |
| Phallic Jouissance | Limited by the Law | Present | Enjoyment through the signifier | Subject marked by castration |
| Other Jouissance | Not-all, beyond the Law | Present or timeless | Excess beyond the symbolic | Feminine position (structural) |