An Introduction to a Critical Reading of Lacan's Formulae of Sexuation

This paper is based on an address in 2007 at the first study-day of the Irish School for Lacanian Psychoanalysis. The author introduces his essay on Lacan’s formulae of sexuation which appears here for the first time in English translation. He reveals what led him to make a critical reading of the formulae and he relates their development to another trajectory, Lacan’s gradual invention of his “o object”. I want first to tell you how touched and honoured I am to be invited to the first meeting of the Irish School of Lacanian Psychoanalysis because I was also present, 13 years ago, the day, the very day when the APPI was founded.…