On the subject function:

a dialogue between Lacan and Frege

Abstract

During his teachings, Lacan incorporated resources from various disciplines external to psychoanalysis, such as linguistics, topology, mathematical logic, and philosophy, using them as heuristic instruments for his own theory, not hesitating to modify them. The aim of this article is to demonstrate, through a carefully selected example, that the connections established by Lacan with these disciplines go beyond mere analogies, revealing a rich complexity and a proposal for formalization in psychoanalysis. The relationship with mathematical logic, particularly Frege's theory, will be explored to reveal how this dialogue enables a precise formalization of Lacan's concept of the subject through the Fregean notion of function. The article emphasizes that this specific example, albeit limited, illustrates Lacan's extensive engagement with different fields of knowledge, highlighting the theoretical richness and potential of these interdisciplinary approaches. By examining the works of the authors with whom Lacan engaged and understanding the usage he proposed for their terms and formalizations, it is possible to uncover the depth and contribution of these intersections to psychoanalysis.