In Ethics of the Real, Alenka Zupančič presents a rigorous presentation of the relationship between Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy and Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory. This study examines how Kant’s Enlightenment ethics, with its emphasis on universal moral law, can be reinterpreted through Lacan’s psychoanalytic concept of the Real, resulting in a radical reassessment of both ethical frameworks.
Kantian ethics is characterized by its insistence on a moral law that operates independently of any preconceived notions of the Good or human inclinations such as love, sympathy, or fear. According to Kant, moral actions must be guided solely by adherence to the categorical imperative, which dictates that one should act only according to maxims that can be universally applied. This approach to ethics is revolutionary in its rejection of subjective motivations as the basis for moral behaviour. Instead, it demands that individuals act out of respect for the moral law itself, a stance that has both intrigued and perplexed scholars throughout history. Many contemporary interpretations of Kant’s work attempt to render his ethical system more palatable and relevant to modern dilemmas, often smoothing over the apparent paradoxes and demanding nature of his philosophy. Zupančič’s study, however, takes the opposite approach. She argues that Kant’s ideas are not meant to be reconciled with contemporary ethical concerns but should be understood as presenting a radical challenge to prevailing moral frameworks.
Lacan’s theories, particularly his notion of the Real, initially appear to be in stark contrast to Kant’s methodical and rational approach. Lacan, known for his complex and often enigmatic views on the unconscious, the symbolic order, and desire, seems worlds apart from Kant’s sober rationalism. Lacan’s concept of the Real refers to aspects of existence that elude symbolization and resist integration into the structured frameworks of language and meaning. This elusive and disruptive dimension of reality provides a critical lens through which to view Kantian ethics, suggesting that the Real can illuminate and challenge the assumptions underlying Kant’s moral philosophy.
Zupančič juxtaposes Kant’s moral theory with Lacan’s psychoanalytic insights to develop an “ethics of the Real,” which seeks to restore and highlight the disruptive and radical elements inherent in Kantian ethics. This approach aims to reframe Kant’s categorical imperative in light of Lacanian theory, particularly the way in which the Real exposes the limitations and tensions within the realm of moral law.
In examining the notion of pathology in Kant’s practical philosophy, Zupančič explores how Kant uses the concept to delineate what is outside the bounds of the ethical. For Kant, the pathological encompasses those inclinations and drives that propel human actions, which can range from basic needs to complex ideas. These pathological forces are not necessarily opposed to ethics but rather represent the background against which ethical autonomy is defined. Kant’s idea is that while human actions are frequently motivated by these drives, true ethical behaviour requires transcending them through the exercise of pure practical reason. Zupančič argues that this distinction between the pathological and the ethical is crucial for understanding Kant’s moral system and its implications.
The book also explains Kant’s notion of freedom and how it intersects with his ethical theory. For Kant, freedom is not merely the ability to act on one’s desires but involves acting according to rational principles that are autonomous and not subject to external or internal compulsions. This form of freedom requires a separation from personal inclinations and a commitment to the moral law. Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory adds another layer to this discussion by suggesting that the Real plays a critical role in shaping our understanding of freedom and desire. According to Lacan, the Real represents the part of existence that resists symbolization and cannot be fully captured by language or rational thought. This dimension of the Real challenges Kantian ethics by highlighting the limitations of rational autonomy and the ways in which ethical demands might intersect with deeper, unconscious aspects of subjectivity.
Zupančič’s examination of the relationship between Kantian ethics and Lacanian theory extends to a critique of the superego, which Lacan describes as an internalized authority that often masquerades as a genuine moral force. This critique challenges the idea that Kant’s moral law is simply a manifestation of the superego’s demands. Instead, Lacan’s insights suggest that the superego’s moral imperatives might obscure the more radical aspects of Kantian ethics, which call for an engagement with the Real and the impossibility inherent in moral demands.
In her analysis, Zupančič considers how Kant’s moral law and Lacan’s concept of the Real intersect and inform one another, ultimately proposing a revised understanding of ethics that embraces the disruptive and radical dimensions of both theories. By integrating Lacan’s insights into Kantian ethics, Zupančič aims to restore and highlight the revolutionary aspects of Kant’s moral philosophy, suggesting that the Real provides a valuable perspective for re-evaluating ethical behaviour.
The book explores how this new interpretation of Kantian ethics can address contemporary ethical dilemmas. Zupančič’s approach calls for a re-engagement with Kant’s moral philosophy that acknowledges the psychoanalytic understanding of desire and the unconscious. This perspective not only deepens our comprehension of Kantian ethics but also emphasizes the continuing relevance of psychoanalytic theory in addressing fundamental questions of morality. Through this detailed analysis, Ethics of the Real offers a challenging perspective on the intersection of ethics and psychoanalysis, encouraging readers to reconsider the nature of moral law and the role of the Real in ethical theory.
Simon Gros 
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