‌‌‌‌　　英：optical model; 法：modele optique

‌‌‌‌　　弗洛伊德在《释梦》中把精神比较于某种光学装置，诸如一台显微镜或者一架照相机 (Freud, 1900a: SEV, 536)。拉康也同样在其著作中的几个地方使用到了光学装置：例如，他用照相机提供了一个“有关意识现象的唯物主义定义”(S2, ch. 4).

‌‌‌‌　　拉康认为，光学之所以是着手探讨精神结构的一种有效方式，是因为形象在精神结构中扮演着一个重要的角色 (S1,76)。然而，如同弗洛伊德一样，拉康也告诫说这样的一种取径顶多只能提供一些粗糙的类比，因为光学的形象并不同于作为精神分析研究对象的那类形象。出于这一原因，拉康很快便以各种拓扑图形取代了这些光学形象，以便避免想象的捕获（见：拓扑学[TOPOLOGY])。不过，正如弗洛伊德曾经就他自己的光学模型所说的那样，“我们需要一些临时思想的协助”(Freud, 1900:536).

‌‌‌‌　　光学模型首度出现于1954年（即在图10中所复制的版本，取自S1,124), 尔后又在《关于丹尼尔·拉加什的报告的评论》(1958b)、关于转移的研讨班 (1960一1961)以及其他的地方有所论及。该模型基本上是借助于一个平面镜和一个凹面镜而构成的一项光学实验。凹面镜产生了被箱子挡住而看不见的一个倒置花瓶的实像，然后这一实像被反射在平面镜中又产生了一个虚像。主体唯有置身在一个特殊的视域之中，这一虚像才是对其可见的。

‌‌‌‌　　拉康用此一模型阐明了很多不同的观点。其中最重要的两点便是象征秩序的结构化角色以及自我理想 (EGO-IDEAL)的功能。、

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‌‌‌‌　　(1)光学模型阐明了主体在象征秩序中的位置（由平面镜的角度所代表）何以会决定想象界被链接于实在界的方式。“只有就我们在想象界之外，即在象征层面的水平上找到一个向导而言…我在想象界中的位置才是可以构想的。”(S1,141)光学模型因而阐明了象征秩序在结构化想象界方面的原初重要性。精神分析治疗的作用可以被比作平面镜的旋转，旋转平面镜即会改变主体在象征界中的位置。

‌‌‌‌　　(2)光学模型同样阐明了理想自我 (ideal ego)的功能，它在图中被表现为实像，而自我理想则与之相反，是支配着镜子角度且因此支配着主体位置的象征性向导 (S1,141)。

‌‌‌‌　　(modele optique) Freud compares the psyche with an optical apparatus such as amicroscope or a camera in The Interpretation of Dreams (Freud, 1900a: SE V, 536).

‌‌‌‌　　Lacan also uses optical apparatuses at several points in his work: for example he uses thecamera to provide a 'materialist definition of the phenomenon of consciousness' (S2, ch. 4) Lacan argues that optics is a useful way of approaching the structure of the psychebecause images play an important role in psychic structure (S1,76). However, like Freud, Lacan warns that such an approach can never provide more than rather crude analogies, since optical images are not the same as the kind of images which are the object ofpsychoanalytic research. For this reason, Lacan soon replaces optical images withtopological figures which are intended to prevent imaginary capture (see TOPOLOGY). Nevertheless, as Freud said of his own optical models,'we need the assistance ofprovisional ideas' (Freud, 1900:536).

‌‌‌‌　　The optical model first appears in 1954 (which is the version reproduced in Figure 12, taken from S1,124), and is taken up later in 'A remark on Daniel Lagache's report' (1958b), in the seminar on the transference (1960-1), and elsewhere. It is basically anoptical experiment which is constructed by means of a plane mirror and a concave mirror. The concave mirror produces a real image of an inverted flower-pot, hidden from view by a box, which is then reflected inthe plane mirror to produce a virtual image. This virtual image is only visible to a subjectwho places himself within a particular area of vision.

‌‌‌‌　　Lacan uses the model to illustrate various points. Two of the most important points arethe structuring role of the symbolic order and the function of the EGO-IDEAL.

1. The optical model illustrates the way that the position of the subject in the symbolicorder (represented by the angle of the plane mirror) determines the way in which theimaginary is articulated with the real. My position in the imaginary... Is only conceivableinsofar as one finds a guide beyond the imaginary, on the level of the symbolic plane' (S1,141). The optical model thus illustrates the primary importance of the symbolicorder in structuring the imaginary. The action of psychoanalytic treatment can becompared to the rotation of the plane mirror, which alters the position of the subject inthe symbolic.
2. The optical model also illustrates the function of the ideal ego, which is representedin the diagram as the real image, in opposition to the ego-ideal, which is the symbolicguide governing the angle of the mirror and hence the position of the subject (S1,141).