Genesis of Corporeal Unity

Identity and Alterity between Phenomenology and Psychoanalysis

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perception of the body as a unit and its relations with alterity. In order to accomplish this, we will draw upon the developments of phenomenology and psychoanalysis to address the constitution of the body as an object. In relation to phenomenology, Husserl proposes two dimensions of the body: the lived body (Leib) and the objective body (Körper). Although the body is perceived in everyday life as a unity, it presents an internal horizon. Merleau-Ponty builds upon Husserl's developments, conceiving the body as a habitual and temporal structure. This allows for the consideration of phenomena such as phantom limb syndrome, where the actual body does not coincide with the habitual body. Within psychoanalysis, Lacan introduces the mirror stage as the moment when the infant is able to recognize the body image in the mirror as their own, providing a dimension of unity where it did not exist. Simultaneously, this assumption enables the formation of the self and others. Consequently, various phenomena of distortion or alienation of the body image can be contemplated, such as certain phenomena of the hysteric body or verbal hallucination, as well as the discrepancy of the current image.

Within psychoanalysis, Lacan introduces the mirror stage as the moment when the infant is able to recognize the body image in the mirror as their own, providing a dimension of unity where it did not exist. Simultaneously, this assumption enables the formation of the self and others. Consequently, various phenomena of distortion or alienation of the body image can be contemplated, such as certain phenomena of the hysteric body or verbal hallucination, as well as the discrepancy of the current image.