
Jacques Derrida, the French philosopher, developed his critical technique known as 'deconstruction'. His work is associated with ideas surrounding both post-structuralism and post-modern philosophy, and he was known to have challenged some of the unquestioned assumptions of our philosophical tradition. In this Very Short Introduction, Simon Glendinning explores both the difficulty and significance of the work of Derrida. He presents Derrida's challenging ideas as making a significant contribution to, and providing a powerful reading of, our philosophical heritage. Defending Derrida against many of the charges that were placed against him, he attempts to show why Derrrida's work causes such extreme reactions. Glendinning explains Derrida's distinctive mode of engagement with our philosophical tradition, and shows that this is not a merely negative thing. By exploring his most famous and influential texts, Glendinning shows how and why Derrida's work of deconstruction is inspired not by a 'critical frenzy', but by a loving respect for philosophy. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
How does the work of Jacques Derrida function as a constructive engagement with the Western philosophical tradition rather than a purely destructive force? Simon Glendinning, a scholar of European philosophy, examines the core tenets of deconstruction to clarify its often-misunderstood objectives. By situating Derrida within the broader context of post-structuralist and postmodern thought, the author argues that Derrida's critical techniques are rooted in a profound respect for the history of philosophy. The text serves to demystify Derrida's complex prose and defend his methodology against common academic criticisms.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
This volume is widely recognized as a helpful entry point for students and non-specialists attempting to navigate the dense prose of Derridean philosophy. Experts note that while the text remains accessible, it maintains a high level of academic rigor suitable for introductory university study.
Page Count:
145
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191619973
ISBN-13:
9780191619977
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