Ethics of Psychoanalysis - Lacan’s Antigone and the Ethics of Interpretation :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Ethics of Psychoanalysis - Lacan’s Antigone and the Ethics of Interpretation My paper examines Lacan’s reading of the Antigone as an allegory of our own textual and ethical obligations as readers and critics. This paper addresses both the ethics and the aesthetics of our encounter with the text. In 1959, Lacan presented Sophocles’ Antigone as a model of pure desire for his seminar on The Ethics of Psychoanalysis: Antigone presents herself as autonomos, the pure and simple relationship of a human being to that which it miraculously finds itself carrying, that is the rupture of signification, that which grants a person the insuperable power of being—in spite of and against everything—what he [sic] is. . . . Antigone all but fulfills what can be called pure desire, the pure and simple desire of death as such [i.e., of that which is beyond the pleasure principle]. She incarnates this desire. (1986: 328-29) Lacan notes that Antigone’s decision to defy Creon consciously seeks death. She makes no effort to defend Polynices’ actions (Lacan 1986: 290, 323-25). Her choice takes her beyond the realm of rational discourse and the collective norms of human satisfaction it implies (Lacan 1986: 78, 281; Zizek 1991: 25). Hers is a position that transcends the comfortable binary oppositions that structure our daily ethical and social lives. Because her choice of death cannot be understood according to strictly rational norms, she cannot be read as representing some simple antithesis of freedom to tyranny, or the individual to the state (Lacan 1986: 281; Zizek 1992: 77-78). In fact, as she acknowledges, she had chosen death before Creon’s decree against the burial of Polynices, and she defines herself to Ismene as one already belonging to the realm of the dead (ll. 559-60; Lacan 1986: 315, 326). Creon is not a tyrant who forces Antigone to make an impossible choice between life and freedom; rather, he embodies the civic norms that her pursuit of a desire beyond the bounds of those desires articulated within the realm of common life both requires as defining foil, and transcends. Her choice thus represents a pure ethical act shaped neither by a self-interested selection among communally recognized goods nor the self-loathing of conforming to a code that is recognized and despised (Zizek 1992: 77). Such an ethical choice, as Lacan acknowledges, is Kantian in its devotion to a pure concept of duty, but psychoanalytic in its predication on a highly individualized desire whose content cannot be generalized into a universal ethical maxim (Lacan 1986: 68, 365-66).

Dual and Multiple Relationships and Boundaries

Case study 14 is an illustration of a clinical situation that has a potential harm in terms of loss of objectivity and conflict of interest. Teresa being a professional counselor is entangled in a multiple relationship with her client. The ethical concern is on maintaining the boundaries. The potentiality of Teresa crossing them is high and precautions have to be taken. According to Herlihy and Corey,( 2006), boundaries get crossed if there is divergence from acceptable practices thus putting the client at a risk of harm. Another ethical concern is on whether Teresa will adhere to the code of ethics as expected of a professional counselor without compromising to some temptations.   Another concern is on how effective Teresa will be as a counselor in the way she handles Chris’ problem because the potentiality of her being influenced by the fact that Chris’ mother is her best friend, is high. Barbara Herlihy and Gerald Corey, (as cited from Knapp and Verdecreak, 2003) state that a sexual dual relationship is an absolutely harmful situation that should be avoided by all means because the repercussions severely affect individuals negatively. However the situation in the case of Theresa and Evelyn’s son, Chris has a low potentiality of harm especially if Teresa takes some important pre-cautions. Compared to sexual-dual relationship, counselors are also harmed or get stressed because circumstances force them to play different roles simultaneously and juggling between them can be very difficult. Gerald, Marianne and Patrick ( as cited from Lazarus and Zur, 2002) state that some multiple relationships are not harmful and are unavoidable. This can be explained by the fact that none of the codes of ethics deem non-sexual relationships unethical. This situation has a possibility of having a negative impact for instance impairment of judgment by the counselor because of the aspect of friendship between Theresa and her clients mother, alongside this is the possibility of Chris not being open enough to talk about everything that bugs him for fear of disclosure to the mother by his counselor. He may want to hide some information to protect him from the Teresa who is the mother’s friend. Efficacy in this case is questionable in the end, resulting in the client not getting the help he needs. My recommendation for Teresa would be to find another independent colleague to do the counseling. One who does not have   affiliations of any kind to both Chris and the mother. I would advice her to strongly advise Evelyn that the potential harm or risk is more intense than the hustle that comes with the 3km that she would have to do when   driving Chris to another counselor. This case can be ethically resolved by the following steps; a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teresa has to weigh the potential harm that exists if she takes on the counseling. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon commencement of the counseling session, Teresa should call upon her supervisor or colleague at work to supervise how she handles the counseling. c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another consideration is that Teresa should explain about the risks to both Chris and his mother so as not to lose her friendship to Evelyn and to make it clear why she cannot counsel Chris. She should ask herself whether According to (Gottlieb and Younggren) as mentioned by Gerald, Marianne and Patrick, Teresa should establish the necessity of entering into a professional relationship since the friendship relationship still exists. Secondly, she should find out any potentiality of harm to the client in the event that she enters into a multiple relationship i.e. both the friendly one and the professional one. Teresa should determine whether the dual relationship is going to add value to the situation and if it will influence the manner in which she will analyze the problem. Thirdly she is obliged to let the parties at stake know the risks that come with multiple relationships and let the client to have a participatory role in the decisions made. Having done all these and there being no risk of harm Teresa should put every thing in writing showing consent by the client where the latter even appends his signature. Finally the counselor should consult with her colleagues who support the decision. In circumstances where a non professional relationship is unavailable the counselor should make sure that he does not cross boundaries or rather he just holds on to practices that are beneficial to the client. He should let the clients know about the pros and cons of dual or multiple relationships and should be prepared to face arising conflicts and discuss about the same with clients. The counselor should be alert incase he finds out that he might give an impaired professional judgment or foresees   harm, in which case he should reach out to other professionals for advice on how to handle any problematic situation. Dual relationships need to be documented. The last option would be to recommend counseling services from another professional. Herlihy and Gerald, citing St. Germaine (1993), suggest the above procedures to protect the client from the harm. As I disseminate my duties I will always make sure that I avoid dealing with clients with whom I have existing relations like friends, relatives and business associates. In line with this I would strictly maintain boundaries by refusing to receive gifts from clients, or exchanging goods and services for the services I render (Gabbord, 1994, 1995, 1996; Gutheil and Gabbard; 1993). Finally, I would always refer to the code of ethics and see to it that I don’t breach any of them. I would always keep it professional through documentation and filing of proceedings for further reference. References: Barbara, H., & Gerald, C. (Eds.). ACA – Ethical Standards Casebook: (6th Edition). Gerald, C., Marianne, S, C. & Patrick, C. (Eds.). ISSUES AND ETHICS IN HELPING PROFESSIONS: (7th Edition.)

Queer Theology

Queer theology Definition Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers. It is an identity without an essence. ‘Queer' then, demarcates not a positivity but a positionality vis-a-vis the normative A â€Å"pro-feminist gay theology† was proposed by J. M. Clark and G. McNeil in 1992, and a â€Å"queer theology† by  Robert Goss  in  Jesus acted up: A gay and lesbian manifesto  ( Explain two of the main contributors to feminist theology Elizabeth Stuart (born 1963)Professor Stuart was consecrated as a Bishop in the Open Episcopal Church (a small, independent grouping within the United Kingdom). In 2006 she became Archbishop of the Province of Great Britain and Ireland of the Liberal Catholic Church International. Her published works include: * Gay and Lesbian Theologies: Repetitions and Critical Difference * Just Good Friends: Towards a Lesbian and Gay The ology of Relationships * Daring to Speak Love’s Name * Religion is a Queer Thing * Lesbian and Gay Theologies: Repetitions with Critical Difference Prof Gerard LoughlinGerard Loughlin  BA MA (Wales) PhD (Cambridge) is Professor of Theology and Religion at the  University of Durham,  England. He is the  author  of  Telling God's Story: Bible Church and Narrative Theology  (Cambridge University Press 1996) and  Alien Sex: The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology  (Blackwell 2004). These works show Stuart moving from a liberationist approach to an approach grounded in queer theory. She now argues that gender and sexuality are not matters of ultimate theological concerns and that the Christian duty is to refuse to work theologically with such categories.His work included: the relationship between God and Israel: Husband to wife. Jesus to the Church, Husband to wife. The Church includes BOTH genders. Therefore man to man in matrimony. He believes that the Churc h is looking at this in a symbolic way rather than facing up to the fact that it is what God/ Jesus wants. He talks of the love between Jesus and his disciples ‘John of Zebedee left his wife/wife to be to follow Jesus whom he loved! ’ There is a question over WHO got married at the Wedding in Cana- was it his disciples? Two men? John and Jesus are said to be ‘symbolically married’.He believes that this is significant when discussing gender roles and biology. A ‘natural kind’ of marriage –woman and man- is a ‘fantasy’ and not realistic. The use of ‘queer’ used to be an insult. It should now offer a sense of pride to Gay people. Is queer theology rooted in the bible It is rooted in the bible as it believes the fundamental concepts of Christian theology – e. g. trinity, Jesus and his resurrection etc It is not rooted in the bible as Scripture begins and ends with the picture of marriage as an institution ord ained by God – designed for the union of a man and a woman in a life-long, faithful, covenantal relationship.This view is affirmed by Moses, Christ and Paul, and has been upheld through thousands of years of Judeo Christian history and tradition. Pro-gay revisionists usually do not even attempt to address God's created intent for human sexuality, but instead twist Scripture and argue against those texts which condemn same-sex behaviour. Link five teachings from the bible that support queer theology * The argument that if God's presence and gifts of love are manifest in a gay-affirming church and in homosexual relationships, it is evidence that God accepts and blesses homosexual behaviour. The argument that â€Å"I'm a born-again believer and I'm gay, therefore homosexuality must be okay† is * The argument that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality in the gospels * Bible translators mistranslated five references to sexual ethics in two different testaments of Scripture . And there is also a possibility that they only mistranslated Scriptures regarding homosexual behaviour. * References to God condemning homosexual behaviour is directed to homosexual prostitutes not to homosexuals as a whole * Love between Jesus and his disciples ‘John of Zebedee left his wife/wife to be to follow Jesus whom he loved! John and Jesus are said to be ‘symbolically married * There is a question over WHO got married at the Wedding in Cana- was it his disciples? Two men? How does queer theology link with liberation theology? Queer Theology is grounded in Liberation Theology that respects the experiences of those who have been systematically alienated and abused by the traditional religious establishment. It is imperative that lesbian and gay Christians embrace the hermeneutics of suspicion and interpret scriptures accordingly. The queer Christian community must live within church structures in light of being a part of the underside of society.A large part of the mission of Queer Spirituality is to challenge doctrinal and theological imperialism that has infiltrated many churches. Queer Theology has no choice but to help build the Reign of God by seeking to destroy unjust and oppressive ecclesial structures and teachings. Queer Spirituality has no choice but to fight the battle for God’s justice with righteous anger and speak the truth in the mist of adversity and strife. Queer Theology must work for freedom and liberation by waging a spiritual battle against domination, control, power, and abuse of church authority by confronting distorted beliefs about lesbian and gay Christians.Queer Spirituality is a call to reject churches that hijack human dignity and freedom in the name of religion. Queer Theology can only embrace a spirituality that cultivates honesty, healing, affection, compassion, and justice. Queer Spirituality can only be authentic when seeking to cast out the demons of poverty, injustice, racism, violence, prejudice, exploitation, or homophobia in any form — whether they are within us, our government, or our churches. While formulating a Queer Spirituality, lesbian and gay Christians need to dig deep into, appreciate, and learn from a noble and splendid Hebrew-Christian heritage.Queer Christians must draw from this heritage the strength to believe that the God of compassion and mercy always conquers and triumphs over the evil of homophobia, hatred, and bigotry. Queer theology basics conclusion – * Queer theologians wanted to construct a theology which came directly from their own context * ‘queering’ involves a re- interpretation and definition of our language and practices from the perspective of homosexual people * Queer theology is closely related to philosophical and socio political movement of queer studies

Woodrow Wilson essays

Woodrow Wilson essays Woodrow Wilson; From Passive Progressive to War-time President Woodrow Wilson was a great president. His early administration was very much a part of stabilizing the disinergrating American economy at the time, as well as channeling foreign concerns, with peaceful realities. He was elected president in both 1912, and 1917, both trips to Whitehorse meant something different to Wilson. The country was also in different moods and circumstances. Looking at Wilson's first and second Innagurational addresses, as well as his well schemed fourteen points peace treaty, one can get a good understanding of the change Wilson went through from one term to the other. Bring 1912. The country is growing as a world economic contender, but at what cost? Children were being put to work as young as 7 years old, because of the size of their fingers, and hands to get where grown men couldn't. America was loosing its innocence to the textile, and machinery factories that developed out of reconstruction. Woodrow Wilson was an up and coming progressive Democrat that believed strongly in workforce reform, as well as economic renewal. His competition in the election of 1912 brought a very famous and also progressive Theodore Roosevelt, running as an independent. The Republican Party nominated William Taft as their vote for the president. Wilson won because of his realistic, down to earth ideas of workplace reconstruction. In his first Inaugural address, it is apparent to see his views. Through the first part of the speech, Wilson recognizes the nation is looking for a good laize-faire president. "No one can mistake the purpose for which the nati on now seeks to use the Democratic Party." Roosevelt, a Progressive Party candidate, and Taft, a Republican, believed in the big business plan. Woodrow Wilson believed that this was a threat to liberty, in many cases he's right. Wilson recognizes the need for change. In the forth part of his ...

Kody Scott essays

Kody Scott essays Kody Scott, aka Sanyika Shakur aka Monster, was one of the most notorious members of the infamous Crips gang in South Central Los Angeles. In his autobiography, Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member, Scott gives the public an inside look at life in prison and its effect on him. If the autobiography was solely meant to give a depiction of gang life, he would have concentrated on the times spent out of jail and on the streets. Instead of briefly mentioning the amount of time spent in jail, he chooses instead to focus on the indecencies of prison, and street life as repercussion. Most people see the autobiography as a representation of life as a gang member; instead I view it as a portrayal of the corruptions of prison life. When Scott was fourteen years old he was placed in Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for a shooting. He says that the juvenile tank has got to be the most blatant exercise the state has ever devised for corrupting, institutionalizing, and creating recidivism in youth (136). Prison gives gang members credibility on the streets, helps them further their reputation and promote their name, and is seen as a step or a test to maintain a tough street status. While civilians fell safer with more prisons, inmates view it as a type of education. California has the largest state prison population in the country, and 97% of inmates are eventually released with even more violent knowledge and capabilities. The fact that four out of five released inmates eventually end up back in prison at some point suggests that they have no motivation to change their ways. California was the first state to ban early release for good behavior. Inmates then do not feel as if they have to act better so they stay the same or worsen, which means they are that way upon their time of release. When Scott was released from Juvenile Hall after serving nineteen of the sixty days he was sentenced, his &q...

Controversial Issue Essay

Controversial Issue Essay Controversial Issue Essay Controversial Issue Essay: Making It Controversial If you always set one and the same question to yourself that is: why controversial issue essay again? we are going to answers your question. Controversial issue essay is the best exercise, which is only possible to invent for the proper process of studying. Controversial issue essay develops a lot of different skills and helps students to become more experienced in academic writing. Thus, controversial issue essay develop: analytical thinking skills perfect writing skills ability to have own opinions to all the possible problems excellent searching and analyzing skills the ability to work with facts, to analyze them and to use them for your sake. You see, that is why controversial issue essay is considered to be one of the favourite professors assignments: Preparation for Controversial Issue Essay Writing It is reasonable to get acquainted with the kind of controversial issue essay before starting to write your controversial issue essays. If speaking in a simple language, any of the controversial issue essays are the essays, which serve as a bomb. It is silent and quiet until it flashes. Each controversial issue essay is like a fire, like a hot spot, which makes people start debating. It should be emotional, burning, exciting. The main purpose of controversial issue essay is to convince people that your point of view is the only possible approach to the problem. Persuading is the only proper way of writing your controversial issue essay. A standpoint you deal with in your controversial issue essay should be supported by the authoritative facts taken from the authoritative sources. The more examples and proofs you present in your controversial issue essay the more persuasive it is going to be. Any controversial issue essay demands a lot of creativity from the writer. A common dull controversial issue essay is never going to be controversial. That is why in order to get the high grade for your controversial issue essay writing you have to make it hot, debating, and exciting. There exist a lot of different controversial issue essay techniques which can make a simple essay to be unusual and bright. Use them in your controversial issue essay and you will write an excellent work. Controversial Issue Essay Help If you need any kind of help or assistance with your controversial issue essay writing, you may bravely appeal to our custom essay writing service. We will support you at any stage of your controversial issue essay writing and give you some useful pieces of advice. Read also: Business Ethics Paper Term Argumentative Term Paper Analysis Term Paper 250 Words a Page Term Paper 15 Page Term Paper

Computer Forensics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Computer Forensics - Essay Example According to US-CERT (2008), â€Å"computer forensics is the discipline that combines elements of law and computer science to collect and analyze data from computer systems, networks, wireless communications, and storage devices in a way that is admissible as evidence in a court of law† (US-CERT, 2008,p.1). Computer forensics is an important tool for managers and network administrators who handle the security related issues of the computer systems. Proper understandings about the legal and technical aspects of computer forensics will help the computer professionals to locate and prosecute the intruders more easily. This paper briefly analyses the characteristics of computer forensics, computer forensics jobs, computer forensics education and the pay scale existing in the computer forensics professions. â€Å"From a technical standpoint, the main goal of computer forensics is to identify, collect, preserve, and analyze data in a way that preserves the integrity of the evidence collected so it can be used effectively in a legal case† (US-CERT, 2008,p.2). It is difficult to prove the cyber crimes in court because of the difficulties in submitting evidences. The intruders can escape easily from punishments because of lack of evidences collected normally from a computer crime location. Since all the intrusion and hacking processes are being done electronically, rather than physically, it is difficult to prove form which source the intruder entered a particular computer. In the absence of computer forensics, the chances of arresting the computer criminals are very feeble. Computer data or memory can be divided into two categories based on the persistence; Persistent data and volatile data. Persistent data are the ones which is stored in the computer hard disks or external memory sources like compact disks, floppies etc. On the other