14 SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ABOVE THEORIES part 3

Similarly, Lacan’s mirror stage theory exposes a limitation similar to Jung’s collective unconscious theory, that is, it ignores the subjectivity of non-Western cultures. Lacan emphasized the discipline of language on individuals in his theory, which regarded language as a neutral system and ignored the cultural discourse power represented by language itself. In non-Western contexts, native languages are forcibly replaced with colonial languages, such as African Frenchification and Indian Anglicization, and the universality of this symbol is actually the result of colonial violence. On the other hand, the Western patriarchal family structure presupposes in Lacan’s theory does not actually apply to the symbolic order of matriarchal societies in some regions. In addition to the continuation of colonial violence mentioned above, Lacan’s theory overemphasized the role of external symbols such as language and words, and ignored the possibility of body resistance field. For example, some chronic pain patients often use language to describe their pain experience. Lacan’s mirror stage theory reveals the underlying logic of an individual disciplined by a symbolic order, but in today’s digitally permeated life, this discipline has become more secretive. Therefore, we need to deconstruct the basic framework of his theory in the new cultural context. Only after realizing the limitations of Lacan’s theory can we open up the path to resist the symbolic hegemony.