Deconstruction/Analysis: Difference between revisions

Deconstruction is similar to a valid arguing tactic called ''Reductio Ad Absurdum''. It takes the opponent's argument and logically follows it through to an absurd or indefensible conclusion. [[Schroedingers Cat]] is a classic example of this.

 

 

In literary theory and criticism, deconstruction was proposed by Jacques Derrida as a means to settle (or rather, to permanently unsettle) the long-running debate about how to arrive at a ''correct interpretation'' of a text. Through deconstructive reading Derrida showed that one could formulate perfectly licit arguments against all other serious readings of a text, because in close analysis there will inevitably arise certain elements (aporia) in the text that have no disambiguating function within the text itself, meaning that the only way to resolve the meaning of a given text is to cite outside sources for authority, all of which would be texts themselves and thus aporetic (open to further deconstruction). This discovery gave rise to one of Derrida's most quotable quotations, "''il n'ya pas de hors-texte''" - there is nothing outside of the text - meaning that all texts draw their meanings from their relationships with other texts, but that ultimate meaning is ultimately elusive. Hence [[Death of the Author]].

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