18/11/2025
Derrida and Deconstruction
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There is no way to deny Derrida's uniqueness in linguistic philosophy. The main point of Derrida's philosophy of language is that language-centered human knowledge has never found the truth due to the practice of metaphysics. According to him, only a close and deep reading of a work can rescue the real reality by deconstructing a text. The main goal of his deconstruction theory is to deconstruct language, remove the labyrinth created by language, remove the unchanging constant meaning from the context of linguistic signs, and shake the foundation of metaphysics. Derrida has advanced his philosophy of language by standing against logocentric thinking. The specific meaning of this Greek word logos is word. This word simultaneously carries the connotation of logic, wisdom, and transcendence. In the beginning of Christianity, the word 'Logos' was used to mean the word of God. God is self-sufficient. Therefore, his word is also self-sufficient and flawless. From this concept, 'word' has been placed above 'writing'. It has become a divine subject due to the propagation of various religions and philosophies. In this way, any thoughtful work can also become a self-contained word or 'logos'. Although words or linguistic signs have no meaning of their own, accepting the existence of a particular meaning of words as a constant truth is called logocentrism. This word-centered thinking and consciousness create an unchanging metaphysical perception. Derrida's theory of deconstruction is therefore opposed to this word-centeredness. According to Derrida, not only religious scriptures, but also all Western philosophy has the reign of word-centeredness. Here, the truth that the philosopher has realized is revealed through his statement. This philosophy has given a very high place to words and words. The speaker has been placed at the center of that philosophy. He did not want to accept this word-centered philosophy. Derrida believes that all the theories we see in Western philosophy are variations of the same method. All of them have a strong influence of the metaphysics centered on the word. First, the main purpose of Derrida's deconstructionism is to shake the foundation of metaphysics by removing the unchanging meaning or meaning from behind words, and to prove that no word has a single meaning. According to Derrida, a text or passage of philosophy does not have its own meaning. It is given meaning. It can have many interpretations. There is a logical tradition in philosophy. This logic can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation can be abandoned, and another interpretation can be accepted. And that too can be rejected. There is no end to the interpretation of a text. It appears anew in every reading. Therefore, Derrida's goal is to remove the presence of a special center-creating meaning from behind words and put an end to metaphysics. Second, Derrida believes that language cannot express any immutable truth. Texts have no stable identity. There is no certain source. Reading a text is a preface to reading the next text. Thirdly, according to him, there are numerous contradictions in the text. Derrida's deconstruction tries to highlight the imperfection of the text or a book. Derrida has plagued all the areas and theories that are considered to be the bearers of eternal axiomatic truths with endless questions. Derrida believes that there is a 'central universal theory' in the tradition of Western metaphysics. Nietzsche, Freud, and Heidegger tried to break that tradition. But Derrida believes that none of them could free themselves from the clutches of metaphysics to the end. So it is clear that Derrida's deconstructionism is an attempt to free language from metaphysics. However, Derrida did not explain in detail how this was possible. He did not agree to bring deconstruction into any specific definition. Many say that he was unable to. In hermeneutical judgment, the seeds of skepticism or nihilism can easily be detected in Derrida's work. According to Derrida's thought, if we see the presence of a definite and clear meaning behind writing, then we will fall into the trap of metaphysics. On the other hand, if we remove the presence of any meaning and leave that space empty, then in that case, accusations of skepticism will arise. Basically, his work is about published works. The main approach to deconstruction is the close and deep reading of a work. In order to be alert and aware of the metaphysics existing in the work, Derrida spoke of a new method. This new method is Grammatology, or the thorough examination of the work. Although Derrida included Marxism in rhetoric, he was free from direct opposition to Marx. Derrida was never a party member, but he was close to the French Communist Party. Althusser was his close friend. His other friends were also leftists. Derrida indirectly sided with Althusser in the internal debates of the party. He thought that the party was on the wrong path in the name of dogmatism.
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