The desire for a powerful, uninhibited ego may seem to us intelligible; but, as we are taught by the times we live in, it is in the profoundest sense hostile to civilization.

As Lacanian studies become more widespread in the United States, it should be possible to relate Lacan's central notions to some of the theoretical formulations and body of empirical research that currently flourish here. If Lacan's thinking indeed warrants the recognition it has received in Europe, we can expect that his ideas should be able to add conceptual depth and comprehensiveness to related areas of psychology and psychoanalysis. With this aim in view, the following essay is presented as an opportunity to test Lacan's formulations about the ego in terms of its origins and functions.