PHILOSOPHY: Jacques Derrida

Jacques Derrida was a key philosopher of modern times who made pioneering explorations into the subtexts of our key concepts.

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with Mike Booth

[mblasini]

I know this is supposed to be a summary of Derrida and his work, but it is very, very off the mark. For example, this idea that deconstruction involves showing that an idea "is confused and riddled with defects" is completely unfounded in Derrida's work. Deconstruction is not simply about showing how the opposite of an idea has merit or demonstrating how our cherished ideas are actually pretty questionable. Both of those actions require evaluating, which in turn requires precisely a privileging of values. Deconstruction, rather, has to do with opening up a text or concept to the possibility of a different interpretation. For example, it's not the case, for Derrida, that we privilege speech over writing (consider, for example, that the basis for our knowledge and culture today is almost entirely based on writing - the sciences, poetry, novels, businesses, government, laws, websites, humanities, etc.). The problem for Derrida is that the relationship between writing and speech reveals an interpretation (logocentrism) that we have firmly held onto for millenia: that language ("logos") can somehow reveal the truth ("logos"), the true meaning, about life. This interpretation, Derrida says, produces an anxiety around writing, since writing is something that can last throughout history (it doesn't die off as soon as it is expressed, like speech does) and thus can afford many different interpretations and translations, depending on the different cultural and historical forces at play. For Derrida, the anxiety we have about writing offers up an opportunity to interpret language (text) differently - not as a "source" (center) of meaning, but as a field of socio-historico-economic forces in which many different significations can be produced. I know this comment is long, but I just had to address this very critical issue I see with your interpretation of Derrida.

[imwritingapoemaboutit]

I've always found it very hard to come to solid conclusions on certain ideas and topics, and thought this made me an indecisive simpleton but this makes me feel better. The notion that it is okay to be confused because life is complex and there are seldom any clear answers is very comforting to me.

[manualvarado]

It's quite interesting that Camus and Derrida, who were both born in Algeria, have some things in common. Both were good looking, with good taste for clothes, both enjoyed soccer and "simple" things.
Wonderful video, as always! I have been waiting for a new philosophy or literature video c':

[WonderingAboutThat]

He had such a profound influence on me in my early 20's when I was moving away from the worldviews that I was raised with as a child. 20 years later I still greatly appreciate his point of view.

[juniperj]

I'm surprised these videos don't have more views. They are so so well made and creative and give such great understandable and precise explanations and analyses, I think they're just so great!

[yat]

wouldn't this mean that if he was right, he's also partially wrong and the exact opposite is also partly true too?

[jacobhiller]

This blew my mind. It explained so eloquently why it seems like the older I get the more confused I become about social issues.

[misticocristao]

The School of Life has set a high standard for me intellectually. The eloquent and descriptive language, as well as the philosophical, psychological, and historical viewpoints of these films has proven to bestow upon my psyche interesting and attention-grabbing ideas to consider, in addition to even helping me in a few scholastic endeavors. Many thanks, School of Life!

[captop]

I'm really digging these short bios. Thank you for engaging my mind.

[sierra]

"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing." -Socrates

[EdwardDavian]

I love Derrida's philosophy and have read all his books. He was a very fascinating man who really knew about human behavior and the meaningfulness of life. I wish more people would accept and practice his ideas, the world would be a better place. Thank you for the video :)

[freddie]

really amazed by the knowledge of those creators (either writers or editors) who include such great reference images to the narration. The sort of detail which could go unnoticed.

[meredithbradfield]

Thank you for making this. I was having a hard time understanding "The End of the Book and the Beginning of Writing" and this helped

[JoeLackey]

The problem with always looking for different interpretations is that you almost never take the author at their word. It’s like, what’s the point of literature if there’s no single objective meaning readers across time and space can get out of it to apply to their lives?

[jdzentrist]

What a magnificent summary of this great man's basic ideas, attitudes and loves. Thank you.

[demianhaki]

What I find troubling about how Deconstruction seems to be handled by many who talk about it today, beyond the sensible point about seeing alternative perspectives etc, is that some people tend to use it in ways that render any clear thought or practical decision-making almost impossible.
If parts of our thinking or reasoning or our reliance on certain axioms is indeed unjustified, one should at least be able to explain exactly how and why that is the case. In that regard, there seems to be a lot of superficial, pseudo-philosophical "anything goes" talk out there nowadays, with some people trying to sell random, unexplained scepticism in established concepts as intellectual wit.
Secondly, even if an effort of deconstruction convincingly reveals the arbitrariness, convention or imperfection of certain utilized concepts (e.g. the way we transfer meaning through language or use reason to evaluate certain aspects of the world), the critic still has to demonstrate the practical relevance of this new insight, unless it's only meant to be a trivial observation. After all, several concepts that we rely on have practical purpose in the pursuit of our everyday life, and so it seems to be insufficient to occasionally pull the rug from under people's feet and leave them in a state of confusion that doesn't allow for everyday decision-making.
After all, I would argue, people care most about the individual and collective pursuit of certain goals and interest and are happy to agree on certain concepts as conventions/tools/axioms to help that purpose, unless certain conventions prove unjustified, harmful or unhelpful in that pursuit (either for all or some involved). Then there is good reason to deconstruct AND replace such concepts. Beyond that, it may just be mental exercise for its own sake and the fun of deeper insight into our reality.

[averyrijos]

Hey, The School of Life! You should really do a video on "Eastern Philosophy– Dōgen". He has a lot of important things to say about life and how to best live it.

Or just more Eastern Philosophy in general. There is so much that can be said from their perspectives as well.

[bagandtag]

People should listen to what this guy trully meant. Looking at both sides and thinking about them but not being stuck in the "Everyone is equally wrong" thing that is predominant in the internet.

[robkirchhof]

I will try to re: member him. Re:member. Memor/eyes. For, get.

[JT-ohpq]

"he was initially slow at school, and harboured dreams of becoming a professional sock" woah