Redoubled: The bridging of Derrida and Heidegger

Abstract

of Jacques Derrida ? one wishes for an immersion in the phenomenon, in this case a text and a way of thinking, yet one is somewhat repelled by the cost of one's fideUty. Exposure to Derrida's work, even if that exposure is incomplete or careless, brings about a questioning of cer? tain deep-seated beliefs, a loss of faith in one's norms of sterility; the reader is asked to use a foreign toothbrush. Why does Derrida exercise such an effect? Why is it at this juncture in the history of metaphysics that Derrida appears and issues his challenge? How are we to situate Derrida within the general project of philosophy, especially since he positions himself outside of that same project? This paper will attempt to point toward answers to these and other questions, in fairly general terms. The relationship of Derrida to his most important predecessor, Martin Heidegger, will be explored, and it will be suggested that Derri? da, in the end, cannot fully accomp?sh his chosen task. According to Derrida, it has become necessary to admit that Western metaphysics has fa?ed to provide man with wisdom, or virtue, or knowledge, or the good life ? whatever goals different practitioners of the art have considered valuable. The realization of this fundamental fra?ty began with Nietzsche and was continued in the work of Heideg? ger. Derrida, though, not only realizes the problem, but also attempts a more radical solution than either of his historical counterparts, a solu? tion that he believes will carry the modern practitioner beyond the boundaries of philosophy itself. This solution does not propose a denial