The Text as Its Own Dialectical Standard of Interpretation and Existence

Abstract

The Greeks — Greek text — cannot be interpreted, for they have no concept of interpretation. The Greeks — Greek texts — do not exist, for they have no concept of existence. The only thing which can be interpreted — the only interpretable thing — is existence. The Only thing which exists is (the act of) interpretation. Without interpretation. there is no existenc (nothing exists). Without existence, there is nothing to be interpreted (no interpretation exists). Interpretation exists only in its action — the act of interpretation. Existence is the interpretation of thought — the thought of existence. Interpretation exists as the interpretative act, while existence is existential thought. Interpretation is existence, and existence is interpretation. Interpretation and existence are distinct and separate, just as Spinoza contended that he was concerned to separate philosophy from theology. Interpretation expresses truth as its own standard, while existence involves the cause of itself as both necessary and essential. Interpretation and existence are related by the self-conscious ergo of Descartes’ cogito ergo sum: I think, therefore I am.