Irwin, Jones (1997) Reviving an ancient-modern quarrel : a critique of Derrida's reading of Plato and Platoism. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

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 with reference to an ancient-modern quarrel, it is my
contention that Derrida's unstinting stress on the "aporetic" is due to an overemphasis
of the Cartesian paradigm. Derrida identifies the exhaustion of what Deeley calls "the
classical modern paradigm" with the exhaustion of philosophy per se. But this
identification of philosophy with Cartesianism can be seriously challenged through a
renewed foregrounding of the premodern philosophical resources which Descartes
(and now Derrida) have sought to obscure.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Derrida, Jacques -- Criticism and interpretation, Plato -- Criticism and interpretation, Platonists, Deconstruction
Official Date:	December 1997
Dates:	Date Event December 1997 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Philosophy
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Warner, Martin ; Barrett, Cyril
Sponsors:	British Academy ; University of Warwick
Extent:	260 leaves
Language:	eng

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