ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses Jacques Lacan claim that science aims at the Real by means of mathematization, along with the further claim that psychoanalysis can do likewise. He adopts a critical position towards Lacan’s attempts to introduce various formalisms into his psychoanalytic theory. The author examines the nature of Vienna circle for Lacan. Psychoanalysis has featured frequently as the target of attempts to demarcate science from pseudo-science. Various analysts have attempted to align their theories with those of, among others, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology and neuropsychology. For Lacan psychoanalysis succeeds where psychology fails as only psychoanalysis reintroduces the Name-of-the-Father into scientific consideration. Throughout the entire length of Lacan’s corpus there runs an ongoing enquiry into the relationship between psychoanalysis and science. This enquiry addresses two interconnected issues: The sense in which psychoanalysis may be considered a science and the nature of science in the light of psychoanalysis.
