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Step 5 of 8~8 min read~31 min left
Of Grammatology and Margins of Philosophy: The Core Texts
Read the key passages from Derrida's foundational works alongside the most important critical responses and Derrida's own clarifications.
“Derrida, 'Différance' (1968): 'Différance is the systematic play of differences, of the traces of differences, of the spacing by means of which elements are related to each other. This spacing is the simultaneously active and passive... production of the intervals without which the «full» terms would not signify, could not function.' [...] Of Grammatology: 'The concept of the sign is here exemplary... as the mark of an ancient limitation that one must sometimes transform and sometimes consolidate, always from within... There is nothing outside of the text [there is no outside-text; il n'y a pas de hors-texte].' [...] On deconstruction: 'Deconstruction takes place, it is an event that does not await the deliberation, consciousness, or organization of a subject... It deconstructs itself. It can be deconstructed. [Il se déconstruit.] This is why it is not a method and cannot be made into one.' [...] 'Force of Law': 'Justice in itself, if such a thing exists, outside or beyond law, is not deconstructible. No more than deconstruction itself, if such a thing exists. Deconstruction is justice.' — Derrida, Of Grammatology (1967); 'Différance' in Margins of Philosophy (1972); 'Force of Law' (1989); SEP 'Jacques Derrida'”