History of Deconstructionism

	Revision 14 . . December 18, 2001 2:31 am by Hannes Hirzel [some wikification]
	Revision 13 . . (edit) August 17, 2001 2:38 pm by (logged).216.199.xxx

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Changed: 15c15

Much of Derrida's work bears on the problems of representation that have been a central concern at least since Wittgenstein. He was influenced by the structuralism of Saussure and the idea that each language is produced by a unique structure of oppositions. For him, the consequence is that meaning is parochial, untranslatable. Furthermore, each language is a trap for those who speak it—its underlying logic controls what they can say and forces them into contradictory statements.

Much of Derrida's work bears on the problems of representation that have been a central concern at least since Wittgenstein. He was influenced by the structuralism of Saussure and the idea that each language is produced by a unique structure of oppositions. For him, the consequence is that meaning is parochial, untranslatable. Furthermore, each language is a trap for those who speak it—its underlying logic controls what they can say and forces them into contradictory statements.

Changed: 19c19

It's possible to take these objections as ad hominem wisecracks. And people criticizing normal approaches to communication like Derrida--or Alfred Korzybski and Marshall McLuhan? before him--may take their own contradictions as demonstrating that their criticisms are right. But there is kernel of real argument in the irritation.

It's possible to take these objections as ad hominem wisecracks. And people criticizing normal approaches to communication like Derrida--or Alfred Korzybski and Marshall McLuhan before him--may take their own contradictions as demonstrating that their criticisms are right. But there is kernel of real argument in the irritation.

Changed: 33c33

The influence on literary studies is harder to weigh. Derrida sets himself against the structuralist position taken by followers of Saussure? and Levi-Strauss?, but they share a good many attitudes. Derrida's habits and jargon became an influence, at least in American universities, very shortly after those of the structuralists. It is sometimes debatable just what theory is behind a given assertion.

The influence on literary studies is harder to weigh. Derrida sets himself against the structuralist position taken by followers of Saussure and Levi-Strauss?, but they share a good many attitudes. Derrida's habits and jargon became an influence, at least in American universities, very shortly after those of the structuralists. It is sometimes debatable just what theory is behind a given assertion.