Hontologie: A Lacanian theory of shame

Abstract

This article develops a Lacanian theory of shame in dialogue with the work generated by shame pioneers in the post-Freudian traditions. The article’s hypothesis is that shame is an index pointing to ontological lack. The neologism hontologie combines the French words for shame and ontology; it is a negative ontology proper to Lacan’s theory that the subject lacks an essential core of identity or unity. Key concepts used to theorize shame in the psychoanalytic literature are examined, including the self, ego, and the gaze. These concepts are revised and incorporated into a Lacanian theory of shame starting with Lacan’s mirror stage through the evolution of his work to include the object a, the partial drives, and the fundamental fantasy. In a cross-theoretical dialogue, shame is described in terms of the Imaginary and Symbolic registers. The article also addresses the misconception that Lacanians ignore the importance of affect.