Week 2 - Destructuralism Flashcards

Destructuralism Overview

• Founded by Jacques Derrida as a critique of structuralism.
• Dismantles binary oppositions, challenging traditional hierarchies.

Binary Oppositions (B.Os)

• One term holds power over the other, defined by the absence of its counterpart.
• Arranged in a hierarchical structure with one term privileged over the other.
• Operate as differential systems, deriving meaning primarily through comparison.

Structuralism Tenets

• Each system has a defined structure that positions every element within it.
• Structures are not natural; they are hidden yet real beneath the surface.
• Emphasizes coexistence over change in understanding systems.

Centers and Signification

• Centers exist but are also not definitive, as they help define a system.
• Meaning is derived from systems rather than individual users.

Deconstruction Process

• First step: Recognize hierarchical subordinate relationships in binary oppositions.
• Second step: Acknowledge instability within these oppositions, where terms influence one another.
• Third step: Move beyond binaries to analyze the functions of terms within a system.

Language and Its Function

• Derrida criticized Saussure's perspective on language for being overly simplistic.
• He proposed that language functions as a chain of signifiers; concepts of 'differance' are vital, implying meaning is both deferred and defined by differences.

The Center

• Terms such as man, god, essence, and origin are often viewed as central references in discussions of meaning.

Signification in Structured Systems

• Binary oppositions suppress signification, limiting the scope of meaning within a structure.

Legacy of Structuralism

• Influenced various fields, including anthropology, literary studies, psychology, psychoanalysis, philosophy, and sociology.

Language as a Structured System

• Each term's meaning arises from its difference from other terms, containing traces of all related terms.

The Event of Structuralism

• Marks the moment when the concept of structure needed reevaluation and deeper understanding began.

Ethnocentrism

• The practice of attempting to neutralize European culture as the reference point for all cultural discussions.

Critique of Ethnocentrism

• It is flawed as it assumes Western thought forms a basis for comparison among cultures, which is problematic.