Differance as a key concept from "summary" of Derrida and Deconstruction by Hugh J. Silverman
Differance is a key concept in Derrida's philosophy that challenges traditional philosophical notions of presence and absence. Differance refers to the inherent ambiguity and indeterminacy of language and meaning, highlighting the ways in which words and concepts are constantly shifting and deferring meaning. This concept disrupts the idea that language can accurately represent the world, emphasizing instead the play of signifiers that never fully capture the signified. Derrida argues that traditional philosophical concepts are based on binary oppositions such as presence/absence, speech/writing, and reality/appearance. However, he shows that these oppositions are not stable or fixed, but are constantly in flux and dependent on each other for their meaning. Differance reveals the interdependence and interconnectedness of these supposedly opposing terms, undermining the idea of a stable foundation for knowledge and truth. By emphasizing the deferral and dif...
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