Idea of Quasi-transcendental in Philosophy of Deconstruction

Abstract

Paper deals with investigation of deconstructive concept of quasi-transcendental in the context of general thematization of transcendental philosophy framework of which deconstruction is thought as a representational version. It was established that quasi-transcendental thinking amounts to such a re-interpretation of theoretical foundation of transcendental discourse in the frame of which moments of critique and hyperbolizing are united.Author brings to light and explores main topics of transcendental thought primarily and foremost subjected to the quasi-transcendental reflection: namely, the problem of relationship between transcendental and empirical and the problem of conditions of possibility. In the first case, an ambivalence of “transcendental-empirical” relation, inherent to transcendental discourse turns out to be sharpened. This relation combines in itself characteristics of opposition and juxtaposition, up to reciprocal conditioning. Transcendental becomes such only with regard to empirical and vise versa. In the second case, questioning on conditions of possibility is reshaped in discourse on conditions of impossibility, which proves to be both critical restriction and hyperbolic extension of the former. Paper shows that development of idea of quasi-transcendental in deconstructive philosophy is an outcome of mutual work of Derrida himself and his eminent commentators. The function and basic senses of concept “quasi”, which it obtains within the scope of deconstructive version of transcendentalism, are determined. In particular, an affinity of Derridian “quasi” with Kantian als ob is ascertained, as well as its connection with both critical attitude and discursive realm of fiction. A peculiarity of concept of ultra-transcendental as variation of notion “quasi-transcendental” is found out.Author explores the relation of quasi-transcendental discourse to empirism and gives reasons for priority of transcendental realm over empirical in Derridian thought. Paper lays bare the relationship of quasi-transcendental thinking with discourse of other, as a fundamental theme of deconstructive philosophy.In sum author claims that (1) importance of the theme of (quasi)transcendental in deconstructive discourse and (2) personal Derrida’s self-identification as quasi-transcendental philosopher serve as crucial reasons for investigation of deconstructive philosophy as a prominent version of transcendental thinking.