What is Deconstructionism?
by An introduction (as simply explained as possible) to the philosophical method developed by Jacques Derrida and known as deconstructionism.
Deconstructionism is a useful and often penetrating technique in thinking about the meanings of texts, how they were created and what hidden meanings may be teased out from beneath the surface. It is opposed by those who believe in the single, uncontested meanings of particular texts, for example people who believe religious texts were dictated by a supernatural being with no other agenda in mind.
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Post Commentenowning
On October 8, 2009 at 3:41 pm
“Deconstructionism is a philosophical method most closely associated with the French philosopher Jacques Derrida. The basic principles are outlined in his book On Grammatology”
I just did a full text search of On Grammatology for the word deconstructionism and it doesn’t appear in that book.
Aldous Huxley
On June 28, 2010 at 3:05 pm
enowning, I’m sure the phrase “Cartesian doubt” doesn’t actually occur in Discourse on the Method, so I fail to understand the value of that point.
Anyway, thanks for the explanation Mr. Walsh.
Boddy J. Scallion
On March 26, 2011 at 1:22 pm
So if I see a different meaning in Giacometti’s sculptures and pictures/drawings than what an expert said about them (possibly based on Giacometti’s own writings or comments), then is my interpretation of such texts equally valid? I hope so. I think there is “education” on a subject and then there is the ‘phenomenology’ of a subject. I’m through learning about things, much more enjoying what they mean to me. Therefore, I assume, my interpretation of Giacometti’s art works, for example, is in competition with others’ interpretation. May the best person win? Sounds similar to Nietzsche’s assertion that: the world is a will to power, and nothing besides. Which might not be so bad, so long as such a quest or attainment does not do physical violence or harm to another. P.S. What is the secret to one’s interpretation of a text achieving statusm dominance and prominence over another’s?