The Ethics of Psychoanalysis 1959-1960 examines the fundamental ethical questions inherent in the practice of psychoanalysis, using Freud's work as a foundational text for re-evaluation. Jacques Lacan, a pivotal figure in 20th-century French thought, explores the analyst's unavoidable engagement with ethical dilemmas throughout this seminar. He critically analyzes concepts such as sublimation, the paradox of jouissance, and the tragic dimensions embedded within the analytical experience itself.

This seminar is regarded as a significant contribution to psychoanalytic theory, offering Lacan's distinctive perspective on the ethical underpinnings of the practice. The discussions on sublimation and jouissance are particularly noted for their depth and their challenge to conventional understandings. The work is considered essential for grasping Lacan's evolving thought during this period and its implications for the analyst's role. It provides a rigorous engagement with the ethical stakes of psychoanalytic work.