Ruminations of Jacques Derrida on Europe: A Philosophical Study

Description

Abstract The main purpose of this thesis is to evaluate Derrida‘s contribution towards metaphysical and political concept of Europe. For this purpose, the general gist of Western Metaphysics from Plato to Derrida was summarized. And secondly those scholars‘ works on idea of Europe were evaluated. Our findings revealed that unlike we have always thought the Greeks never associated themselves as Europeans. And Europe only became a collective subject of concern of European scholars after sixteenth century. Jacques Derrida has also declared that Europe is decentered which is not only European but also influenced by non-Europeans passing through it. On the notion of growing number of Muslims in Europe and tensions rising between Europeans and Muslim immigrants, Derrida has given policies to accommodate them. Derrida wanted to bring in every concept while discussing Europe, even the past people who have been wronged by Europe or the future Europeans. Derrida also believed that these Muslims may be able to provide Europe with a solution for the political project of democracy. He believed democracy to better itself should get help from any corner it can get from be it Marxism or Islam. Derrida mentioned that Europe‘s relation with US has been of a subordinate and he demanded Europe to man up itself; while Europe has always been like a guardian figure towards the Orient. Derrida himself coined the term phallogocentrism denoting western metaphysics tendency of giving ascendency to male figure and logos. Although Derrida is critical of such an attitude he himself is guilty of seeing Europe as a responsible authority over East and demanding Europe to become one against US. Contents Certification .......................................................................................................... 2 Dedication ............................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 6 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... 7 Abstract .............................................................................................................. 12 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 14 1. The Western Metaphysical Tradition and Derrida’s Cachet ............................................................ 20 1.1. From Antiquity to Late Sixteenth Century.......................................................................... 24 1.2. Seventeenth Century till Late Nineteenth Century ................................................................. 32 1.3. Early Twentieth Century Onwards .................................................................................. 36 1.4. Jacques Derrida .................................................................................................. 40 2. The Western Metaphysical Tradition and Idea of Europe .............................................................. 45 2.1. From Antiquity to Late Sixteenth Century.......................................................................... 46 2.2. Seventeenth Century till Late Nineteenth Century ................................................................. 52 2.3. Twentieth Century Onwards ........................................................................................ 57 3. Idea of Europe in Derrida’s Metaphysics ............................................................................ 60 3.1. Decentering: Rupture at the heart of Europe....................................................................... 62 3.2. Decision: The Activating of Responsibility ....................................................................... 66 3.3. Democracy to Come ................................................................................................ 71 3.4. Hauntology: Deconstructing Ontology .............................................................................. 78 3.5. The Other: Difference of Europe .................................................................................. 84 3.6. Phallogocentrism: An Attitude .................................................................................... 87 4. Political Ramifications of Derrida’s Philosophy .................................................................... 91 4.1. Derrida as a political philosopher ............................................................................... 92 4.2. Decentered Europe: Muslims in Europe ............................................................................. 96 4.3. Europe‘s Political Identity and Muslim Other..................................................................... 103 4.4. Democracy and Islam.............................................................................................. 110 4.5. The Gendered Relations of Europe ................................................................................ 117 4.5.1. Europe‘s relation with the Orient.............................................................................. 118 4.5.2. Europe‘s relation with US ..................................................................................... 120 5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 128 Bibliography ......................................................................................................... 133