Psychoanalysis has many links with other disciplines. While a close study of Lacan's theories demands a study of logic, science, philosophy, literature and other disciplines, Lacan's ideas were inspired above all by the clinic, by his work and experience with his clients. His theories, which some claim are overly intellectual, are only attempts to make sense of what he witnessed in his clinic, working with clients.

DIVISIONS AND FACTIONS IN PSYCHOANALYSIS

Lacan has probably been the most important and influential psychoanalyst since Freud. Worldwide there are some 20,000 psychoanalysts, that is people who work broadly in the Freudian tradition (this excludes followers of Jung). Roughly speaking psychoanalysts are equally divided into two camps: those influenced by Lacan's work, and those more or less loyal to the ideas of Ego Psychology and the International Psycho-Analytic Association.

The 10,000 psychoanalysts working with Lacan's ideas are mostly in France, Spain, Italy and South America. The other 10,000 influenced by the International Psychoanalytic Association are dominant in England and North America, where Lacan's influence has been felt least.