Psychoanalysis and criminology:

a dialogue on the concept of responsibility according to Jacques Lacan

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aims, in the foreground, to present parts of the two main works in which Lacan proposes a dialogue between psychoanalysis and criminology. Lacan works are “A Theoretical introduction to the functions of psychoanalysis in criminology” and “Prémisses à tout développement possible de la criminologie” (apparently not yet translated to English). Based on these texts, we intend to demonstrate how psychoanalysis – as a knowledge oriented by the ethics of desire – can contribute to criminology regarding the issue of responsibility in the matter of committing a crime. In these works, but not only in them, Lacan seems to expand the notion of “responsibility”, linking it to the unconscious alienated position of the subject in language, and opposing utilitarian precepts about the intimidating/retributive value of punishment. Exploring the difference between the subject of Law and the subject of the unconscious, it is asserted the psychoanalyst's impossibility to assume a position that would resemble punitive practices. Furthermore, this study seeks to propose alternatives that could escape the logic perpetrated by punitive power. To this end, restorative justice turns to be an interesting contribution, considering it is a dialogic form of conflict resolution, different from criminal justice which is imposed and external to the subject. By listening to the other in a horizontal way, it is possible to affirm that restorative justice gets closer to psychoanalysis (in extension), providing an interesting reading key to address responsibility (subjective and criminal) of those who are faced with the violation of law.

Keywords: Criminology; Psychoanalysis; Jacques Lacan; Responsibility; Restorative Justice.