Derrida-A Reading

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Derrida defines what he means by the term, grammatology, as a science of writing (ecriture). In particular, it is a science of the arbitrariness of sign and, above all, that of “writing before speech and in speech” (Of Grammatology 51). This definition implies that he presumes writing to be equal to speech and even prior to it, and that there are at least complicated connections between them in their priority and hierarchy. The major target of Derrida’s deconstructive practice is therefore to save and free writing, which is “reined in” by metaphysical and ontological thoughts (Of Grammatology 4). However, Derrida’s intention is not to defend and illustrate grammatology, and even less to rehabilitate writing. If he simply tries to lift up writing over speech, that is to subvert their hierarchy, the status quo will remain the same as inverted at this time. It will return a prerogative, a privilege, or some right to writing, and get a fixed position there. Derrida puts a definitely pejorative adjective on this sort of behavior—“an ethical or axiological reversal”: “ridiculously mystifying” (Positions 12). For Of Grammatology is secretly affiliated with the consciousness of its own destiny as its writer betrays it: “Of Grammatology is the title of a question” about both the necessity of a science of writing and the limits of this science. And the limits are also “those of the classical notion of science, whose projects, concepts, and norms are fundamentally and systematically tied to metaphysics” (Positions 13). Metaphysics here functions for the western humanist scholars as a dynamic arena and fatal boundary in which they, being confined there, take much pains to learn the great western tradition and in turn develop or challenge it. How then does Derrida manage to overcome those limits derived from metaphysics?

참고자료

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