Abstract
The aim of this paper is to defend Derrida against negative interpretations of nihilism and ethical irresponsibility by arguing that Derrida's notion of différance, and deconstruction in general, is profoundly responsible. It is responsible because Derrida's différance is a condition of ethical possibility and impossibility, which enables individuals to take responsibility for decisionmaking away from the dichotomous either/or choices characteristic of normative ethics, thereby opening a political and ethical space for difference.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 407-420 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Social Semiotics |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 2006 |
Keywords
- Culture
- Ethics
- Jacques Derrida
- Language
- Politics
- Textual free-play