The uncanny object: a Lacanian analysis of xenophobia

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2003
Taştan, Coşkun
The study aims to define xenophobia, which is attached such meanings as ءhostility against foreign people̕ or ءfear of alien people̕, through the main concepts of Lacanian Psychoanalysis. The ءfear of/hostility against foreign people̕ is treated, in this study, by references to the subject-object relation formulated in Psychoanalysis. The study aims to give an original account of the spiral of subject-object through such concepts as ءpolarization̕, ءannexation̕, and ءergonomy̕. Under the light of this account, an attempt follows to recast the term xenophobia. The analysis focuses on three main historical lines, to check the account of the term set down in the study, as well as to fortify and clarify its limits: Capitalism, industrialization and nationalism. As a conclusion, the study maintains that both xenos (stranger) and fear dwell within the subjective field. Accordingly, the study concludes that xenophobia originates not from the ءprimary qualities̕ of the object of fear/hatred (xenophile), but from the deepest ranges of the subjectivity of fear/hatred (xenophobe). Hence, it is asserted that xenophobia is a subjective delirium, rather than an objective form

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Citation Formats
C. Taştan, “The uncanny object: a Lacanian analysis of xenophobia,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2003.