Postures and impostures: Lacan's style and the use of mathematical science. The purpose of the present work is to examine the criticism to J. Lacan's style and his use of mathematical sciences made by A.Sokal and J.Bricmont in Intelectual impostures. It argues that the lack of knowledge concerning psychoanalytical concepts is the main pitfall of the criticism attempted at and that J.Lacan's position against a pedagogical approach is due to psychoanalytical reasons. The article demonstrates also that Sokal and Bricmont rely on a conception of mathematics that, not being the only one available, does differ from that of the psychoanalyst. The paper goes on to point at intellectual negligence on the part of the critics regarding Lacan's program of research. It concludes by stating that the popularity of Intelectual impostures, in what respects exclusively the criticism to Lacan, does not stem from the intellectual and academic criteria. Following a Lacanian hypothesis, it suggests that the source of Sokal and Bricmont's popularity resides rather in the satisfaction obtained through mockery.
Lacan's style; Lacan's use of Mathematics; Sokal and Bricmont's criticism