Demand (psychoanalysis)

Demand (psychoanalysis)

'In the theory of Lacan, demand appears to be a generic term designating the symbolic, significant site in which the primordial desire is gradually alienated'. 'The concept of demand is not Freudian. It was developed by Jacques Lacan, who linked it with need and desire...arises only from speech'.

Demand forms part of Lacan's 'return to the theory of desire outlined by Kojeve', and was used by him against the approach to language acquisition favored by ego psychology.