Irigaray, Feminism and Psychoanalysis

Abstract

Luce Irigaray’s works are closely related to psychoanalysis. She quite benefits from psychoanalysis in destroying the masculine structure of Western philosophy. On the other hand, her criticisms regarding Freud and Lacan are remarkable, as according to Irigaray, both Freud and Lacan are philosophers who carry out their works within the context of masculine language and grammar On these basic ideas , this study discusses Irigaray’s relationship with psychoanalysis and some of her criticisms against the Western philosophy. Through her criticisms, Irigarayan feminine subjectivity and possibility of language will be investigated while within this possibility, the relationship of “mother-daughter” will be aimed to explain, especially the criticism of Irigaray which targets Plato’s cave allegory.