Reviving an ancient-modern quarrel : a critique of Derrida's reading of Plato and Platoism
This thesis begins from an analysis of Derrida's specific readings of Plato and Platonism, identifying there a modernist bias, which interprets these metaphysical systems as if they were coextensive with Cartesian rationalism. Against Derrida, I argue for a repositioning of Plato and Platonism in the context of an ancient-modern quarrel. In replacing Descartes's ~clarity and distinctness~ with a pre-modern emphasis on ~faith~ (pistis), I am seeking to challenge Derrida's diagnosis of a perplexity or impasse (aporia) which cannot be overcome by philosophy. With specific reference to the Meno and the Phaedrus, one can locate a three-tiered Platonic dialectic beginning with an assertion of knowledge, followed by a necessary deconstruction of this knowledge with, thirdly, a tentative reconstruction of philosophy based on faith rather than knowing. In later chapters, I examine this dialectic as it is developed in the Neo- and Christian- Platonist traditions, particularly through the work of Plotinus, Boethius and Augustine. On my interpretation, deconstruction remains at the second level of the Platonic dialectic, that of impasse and perplexity (one of Derrida's most recent texts is in fact entitled Aporias). Again
Irwin, Jones
B Philosophy (General)
Reviving an ancient-modern quarrel : a critique of Derrida's reading of Plato and Platoism. This thesis begins from an analysis of Derrida's specific readings of Plato and Platonism, identifying there a modernist bias, which interprets these metaphysical systems as if they were coextensive with Cartesian rationalism. Against Derrida, I argue for a repositioning of Plato and Platonism in the context of an ancient-modern quarrel. In replacing Descartes's ~clarity and distinctness~ with a pre-modern emphasis on ~faith~ (pistis), I am seeking to challenge Derrida's diagnosis of a perplexity or impasse (aporia) which cannot be overcome by philosophy. With specific reference to the Meno and the Phaedrus, one can locate a three-tiered Platonic dialectic beginning with an assertion of knowledge, followed by a necessary deconstruction of this knowledge with, thirdly, a tentative reconstruction of philosophy based on faith rather than knowing. In later chapters, I examine this dialectic as it is developed in the Neo- and Christian- Platonist traditions, particularly through the work of Plotinus, Boethius and Augustine. On my interpretation, deconstruction remains at the second level of the Platonic dialectic, that of impasse and perplexity (one of Derrida's most recent texts is in fact entitled Aporias). Again
ancient_modern quarrel critique derrida reading plato begin analysis derrida specific reading plato platonism identify modernist bias interpret metaphysical_system coextensive cartesian rationalism derrida argue reposition plato platonism context ancient_modern quarrel replace descartes clarity pre_modern emphasis faith seek_challenge derrida diagnosis impasse aporia overcome philosophy specific_reference locate tiered platonic dialectic begin assertion knowledge follow necessary deconstruction knowledge thirdly tentative reconstruction philosophy base faith rather know later examine dialectic develop neo christian tradition particularly work plotinus augustine interpretation deconstruction remain second level platonic dialectic impasse derrida recent text fact entitle aporias