this issue
previous article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: Deconstruction and Ethics
Author(s): IJSSELING, Samuel
Journal: Ethical Perspectives
Volume: 2    Issue: 2   Date: june 1995   
Pages: 91-103
DOI: 10.2143/EP.2.2.563065

Abstract :
In the postscript of Limited Inc., entitled 'Vers une poétique de la discussion', Jacques Derrida says: 'The phrase which for certain individuals has become a sort of generally misunderstood deconstructionis slogan -il n'y a pas de hors texte- means nothing more than il n'y a pas de hors contexte'. He adds o this that while the latter formulation might perhaps be a little less shocking it is also less thought provoking. In any case, both formulations according to Derrida mean 'exactement la même chose' (exactly the same thing. The danger nevertheless remains that the second formulation might either through wear and tear -and concepts are frequently prey to wear and tear- or through overhasty analysis -and the average reader is always in a hurry- end up becoming trivial. Everything depends on what is meant by the terms 'text' and 'context' and what issues are at stake.

Download article