Understanding Amatorian: The Stages of Becoming a Subject in Lacanian Psychoanalysis

Amatorian is a term that was coined by the French philosopher and psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan to describe the process of becoming a subject, or an individual with a sense of self. In Lacan's view, the process of becoming a subject involves a series of stages, including the mirror stage, the imaginary stage, and the symbolic stage.

The mirror stage is the first stage of the process, during which the infant becomes aware of its own reflection in a mirror and perceives itself as a unified, whole being. This experience is thought to be the source of the ego's sense of self-cohesion and unity.

The imaginary stage is the second stage, during which the child begins to use language and other symbols to represent the world and its experiences. At this stage, the child begins to develop a sense of identity based on its relationships with others and its own internal fantasies.

The symbolic stage is the final stage, during which the individual begins to use language and other symbols in a more abstract and symbolic way to think about the world and its experiences. This stage is thought to be the source of the ego's ability to think about itself and its place in the world in a more reflective and self-aware way.

In Lacanian psychoanalysis, the goal of therapy is to help the patient progress through these stages and become a more fully formed subject with a strong sense of self and a greater sense of agency and control over their own life.