What is Sex?

By Alenka Zupancic,

Book cover of What is Sex?

Book description

Why sexuality is at the point of a “short circuit” between ontology and epistemology.

Consider sublimation—conventionally understood as a substitute satisfaction for missing sexual satisfaction. But what if, as Lacan claims, we can get exactly the same satisfaction that we get from sex from talking (or writing, painting, praying, or…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked What is Sex? as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is one of the most intriguing books published in recent times, in my view, providing a lucid and beautifully written psychoanalytic account of both the strangeness and emancipatory potential of sexuality.

Sex for Zupančič is not about genital sexuality. Instead, it has an amorphous and undefinable quality to it; and this lack of meaning implies we can never get enough of it—e.g., the reason porn watchers get hooked on porn is because even the “full” view of sexual activity doesn’t quite satisfy, so one looks for more “fullness” (which one never finds) and watches more porn. And this…

From Ilan's list on psychoanalysis and politics.

Want books like What is Sex??

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like What is Sex?.

Browse books like What is Sex?

Book cover of Black Skin, White Masks
Book cover of Capital: Volume I
Book cover of The Sublime Object of Ideology

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in psychoanalysis, philosophy, and presidential biography?

Psychoanalysis 105 books
Philosophy 1,771 books