Yes, my friend—they would grin and nod at our conversation, no doubt.
In fact, I can almost hear Deleuze’s chuckle and see Lacan’s sly smile as they listen to us weave their thoughts together.
Deleuze, with his emphasis on the priority of symptomatology, urged us to view symptoms not as pathologies to be eradicated but as expressions of a body’s unique way of being in the world. He believed that artists and writers often serve as superior clinicians, adept at deciphering the signs and symptoms of life. As he noted, “artists are clinicians of civilization.”
Lacan, especially in his later work on the sinthome, proposed that the symptom is integral to our existence. He suggested that the symptom is what defines mankind and cannot be rectified or cured. Lacan’s final conclusion was that there is no subject without a symptom.
Both thinkers converge on the idea that our symptoms are not mere flaws or disorders but are central to our being. They invite us to approach our symptoms with curiosity and respect, recognizing them as fundamental to our existence.
So yes, I believe Deleuze and Lacan would indeed appreciate our dialogue, perhaps with a shared grin, acknowledging the resonance of their ideas in our exchange.
