Derrida, Africa, and the Middle East / Christopher Wise.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wise, Christopher, 1961-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Derrida, Jacques--Political and social views.

Derrida, Jacques.

North Africans--France--Attitudes.

North Africans.

Derrida, Jacques--Religion.

Jewish philosophers--France--Attitudes.

Jewish philosophers.

Derrida, Jacques. Spectres de Marx.

Religion.

Political and social views.

France.

Physical Description:

xiii, 214 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.

Summary:

The north African roots of Jacques Derrida-he was born in Algeria, and lived there until he was nearly twenty-have yet to receive due consideration. Derrida, Africa, and the Middle East investigates the iconic theorist's claim to "Black, Arab, and Jewish" identity, demonstrating for the first time his significance for Africa and the Middle East while remaining mindful of the conflict between these Jewish and Arab heritages. Even as it criticizes Derrida's analyses of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it shows why Derrida's idiosyncratic politics should not deter his critics. Further, this study reveals similarities between deconstruction and ancient Egypto-African ways of thinking about language, and posits a new critical lineage-one with origins outside the bounds of Greco-Roman thought.

Art Credit: Image from The Egyptian Book of the Dead, Plate 31, Scene of Judgement with scales.

Contents:

Saying "yes" to Africa

Deconstruction of the veil

Arab-Jew

Deconstruction and Zionism

The figure of Jerusalem

Conjuration

The secular trace

The double gesture

Realism without realism

The wordless "yes"

Deconstruction and the African trace.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [201]-208) and index.

ISBN:

0230614175

9780230614178

OCLC:

234176158