Lacan the Charlatan

"Lacan the Charlatan" by Peter D. Mathews is an in-depth analysis of the controversies surrounding Jacques Lacan, particularly sparked by Noam Chomsky's remarks in 1989. This scholarly work examines the claim that Lacan is a 'charlatan,' with Mathews not only illuminating the criticisms of Lacan's ideas but also exploring the underlying arguments of his critics. The author contextualizes Lacan's engagements with various disciplines, including structural linguistics, mathematical formalization, science, ethics, Hegelian dialectics, and psychoanalysis. A central theme of the book is Lacan's own confrontation with authority, which navigates a tension between mastery and charlatanism. This book represents a valuable contribution for students and scholars in the fields of psychoanalysis, philosophy, sociology, as well as critical and literary theory.