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Wittgenstein, Derrida, and the Possibility of Meaning: Hierarchy or Non-Hierarchy, Simple or Non-simple Origin, Deferral or Non-Deferral
- Author(s):
- Neil B MacDonald (see profile)
- Date:
- 2020
- Group(s):
- Theology
- Subject(s):
- Philosophy, Language and languages--Philosophy, Twentieth century, History
- Item Type:
- Article
- Tag(s):
- Wittgenstein; Derrida; Meaning; Hierarchy; Deferral; Learnability; Teachability; Différance; Origin; Identity; Difference; Descartes, Philosophy of language, 20th-century philosophy, History of philosophy
- Permanent URL:
- http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/40pc-v363
- Abstract:
- Meaning understood in terms of teachability and learnability is crucial to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s later work. As regards the resolution of philosophical problems – and epistemological problems in particular - this approach seems to posit a hierarchy of meaning that excludes endless deferral. This is the basis of Wittgenstein’s attack on philosophical scepticism. Jacques Derrida’s approach to language seems to require both non-hierarchy and endless deferral characterized by a concept of non-simple origin. Consequently, his concept of origin is characterized by identity and difference simultaneously, irreducibly, non-simply. One question is whether it is possible for there to be a compromise between the two philosophers: a hierarchy of meaning that does not in principle exclude endless deferral. It is concluded that endless deferral is antithetical to Wittgenstein’s concepts of teachability and learnability, and both philosophers would agree on this.
- Metadata:
- xml
- Status:
- Published
- Last Updated:
- 4 years ago
- License:
- All Rights Reserved
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