The
"subject" (with or without capital S) is a very prominent concept in
the fields of critical theory, psychoanalysis and cultural studies. The use of
the term "subject" has been known to be very diversified and
non-unitary across literature. Subject has of course a grammatical meaning as
the part of the sentence which carries out the action. In modern philosophy and
psychoanalysis the subject is considered to be the human existence which is in
a relational state with other existences. In its various uses, subject does not
have a clear definition and its denotation is the subject of great debate.
The
concept of subject can be traced back to Greek philology were it served Aristotle
to denote the basic platform to which predicates can be attributed. The subject
in Greek Philosophy was that which maintains its essence through change. This
perception of the subject incorporates the object as well, and is not opposed
to it as later perceptions of the subject believed.
The
modern perception of the subject first appeared in philosophy in the works of
early modern thinkers such as Descartes. Descartes' cogito is a
reflexive consciousness and not just a platform for traits as the Greek
philosophers would have it. Starting with Descartes the subject became an
important term in philosophy which denotes the primary condition for
consciousness. Kant spoke specifically about the subject as a unitary structure
of consciousness which constitutes the objects perceived by it. According to
Kant, it is the unitary nature of the subject which guarantees the unity of
experience and allows reality to bear meaning. For Kant, the structure of human
consciousness enables rational epistemology.
Following
Kant modern philosophy has linked subjectivity with rationality and awareness.
The term subject was linked with that of "agency" and man was
perceived as the sovereign of his own world, its meanings and content. In other
words, the subject was the source of reality. This perception of the subject
was instrumental is the formation of various principles in the philosophy of
the Enlightenment, such as for example democracy.
