

Todd McGowan, "The Cambridge Introduction to Jacques Lacan" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Sep 29, 2025
Todd McGowan, a film and theory professor at the University of Vermont, discusses his latest work on Jacques Lacan. He simplifies Lacan’s complex ideas, emphasizing concepts like jouissance and the big Other. McGowan critiques Lacan’s obscure jargon, making his thoughts more accessible. He connects Lacanian theory to topics like consumerism and maternal subjectivity, revealing how desire is shaped by cultural and biological tensions. The conversation also touches on Lacan’s impact on psychoanalysis and the philosophical landscape.
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A Coauthor’s Loss Shaped The Book
- Todd McGowan agreed to coauthor the book after Mari Ruti insisted, then she died before writing her half.
- He finished the book in her memory and changed the original concept out of respect and grief.
Explain Not Proselytize
- McGowan aimed to explain Lacan without trying to recruit readers into a sect.
- He focused on clarifying Lacan's value rather than persuading allegiance.
Cut Through Lacan’s Jargon
- McGowan rejects Lacan's deliberate obscurantism and invented jargon as gatekeeping.
- He translates or replaces terms like jouissance to keep Lacan accessible and egalitarian.