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Lacan, Zizek, and the Future of Education

Tom Clancy

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Published in Freud Lacan Zizek And Education: Exploring Unconscious Investments In Policy And Practice (Education And Social Theory)

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of education is more uncertain than ever. Traditional models of schooling are being challenged, and new ways of learning are emerging. In this context, the work of Jacques Lacan and Slavoj Zizek offers valuable insights into the nature of education and the role it can play in shaping the future of our societies.

Lacan on the Symbolic Order

Lacan's theory of the symbolic order is central to his understanding of education. The symbolic order is the system of language and culture that we inherit from our parents and teachers. It shapes our way of thinking, feeling, and acting. Education, for Lacan, is the process of entering into the symbolic order and becoming a subject. This process is not always easy, as it requires us to give up our infantile desires and submit to the rules of society. However, it is essential for our development as human beings.

Freud, Lacan, Zizek and Education: Exploring Unconscious Investments in Policy and Practice (Education and Social Theory)

by Claudia Lapping

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Lacan's theory of the symbolic order has implications for the way we think about education. First, it suggests that education is not simply about transmitting knowledge and skills. It is also about helping students to become subjects who are able to think for themselves and to participate in the social world. Second, Lacan's theory suggests that education is not a neutral process. It is always shaped by the power relations that exist in society. This means that education can be used to reproduce existing inequalities or to create a more just and equitable world.

Zizek on the Real

Zizek's work on the real is another important resource for thinking about the future of education. The real, for Zizek, is that which is beyond the symbolic order. It is the realm of the unconscious, of trauma, and of violence. Education, for Zizek, is the process of confronting the real. This process is not always pleasant, but it is necessary for us to become aware of the limitations of the symbolic order and to find ways to live with them.

Zizek's theory of the real has implications for the way we think about education. First, it suggests that education is not simply about teaching students how to think. It is also about helping them to confront the real and to find ways to live with it. Second, Zizek's theory suggests that education is not a safe space. It is a place where students are confronted with the limits of their own knowledge and experience. This can be a frightening experience, but it is also an essential part of the learning process.

The Future of Education

The work of Lacan and Zizek offers a valuable perspective on the future of education. They remind us that education is not simply about transmitting knowledge and skills. It is also about helping students to become subjects who are able to think for themselves and to participate in the social world. Education is also about confronting the real and finding ways to live with it. These are essential tasks for the future of our societies.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of education is more uncertain than ever. However, the work of Lacan and Zizek offers us a valuable resource for thinking about how to create a more just and equitable world. Education is the key to a better future, and it is essential that we continue to invest in it.