Jouissance (5 of 7) : Fantasy and the law

Swearing, hatespeech, blasphemy: these provide examples of how speech might become infused with the contaminating excess of enjoyment. We investigate the unexpectedly intimate relationship between law and jouissance. Symbolic law needs the unholy animation of jouissance to become effective. We read a moment from James Spader s acting career (drawn from the TV show Boston Legal) alongside Thomas Aquinas, who tells good lawabiding christians that they will be rewarded in heaven by being able to witness the unending torture of those in hell. How do we break the vicious cycle connecting law and jouissance Link to board: