Derrida and Humanism: Some Implications for Post-Humanist Political and Educational Practice

Abstract

This article argues for the development of a post-humanist philosophy. It does so by examining aspects of Derrida's perspective on humanism through three key works: The Ends of Man, Politics of Friendship and The Animal That Therefore I Am. It explores some ways in which Derrida's work might contribute to the construction of a post-humanist philosophy. The ‘question of the animal’, on the human-animal distinction and power relations between humans and animals, is at the forefront of the latter work, with animal studies theorists, such as Calarco and Haraway, also playing a key role in this discussion. The article contends that humanism has had a central part to play in providing a philosophical underpinning for political and educational approaches in the twentieth century, and that post-humanism, which is under construction, will offer wholly new ways of thinking and rethinking questions of politics and education.