Topology of Fear

In this paper, it is my intention to show how Lacan's theory of phobia, as exposed in his fourth seminar on object relations with specific regard to the Little Hans case, deals with space in terms that are not simply analogical. Not only does Lacan produce in this work a topography of phobia, a description of the places of phobia, but he also proposes that phobia, as a particular form of symbolization, is a topology, literally a signifying logos that creates space for the phobic subject. In addition to this, I also aim to sketch briefly the outlines of a possible dialogue between Lacan's topological notion of phobia and Mike Davis's fascinating redefinition of the contemporary late-capitalist Western metropolis, especially Los Angeles, as a constellation of phobic objects.