Derrida, Myth and the Impossibility of Philosophy

225 Pages·2011·3.185 MB·English

by  Anais N. Spitzer

DERRIDA, MYTH AND THE IMPOSSIBILITY
OF PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy, Aesthetics and Cultural Theory
Series Editor: Hugh J. Silverman, Stony Brook University, USA
The Philosophy, Aesthetics and Cultural Theory series examines the encoun-
ter between contemporary Continental philosophy and aesthetic and cultural
theory. Each book in the series explores an exciting new direction in philo-
sophical aesthetics or cultural theory, identifying the most important and
pressing issues in Continental philosophy today.
Derrida, Literature and War, Sean Gaston
Foucault’s Philosophy of Art, Joseph J. Tanke
The Literary Agamben, William Watkin
Philosophy and the Book, Daniel Selcer
DERRIDA, MYTH AND
THE IMPOSSIBILITY
OF PHILOSOPHY
ANAIS N. SPITZER
Continuum International Publishing Group
The Tower Building 80 Maiden Lane
11 York Road Suite 704
London SE1 7NX New York NY 10038
www.continuumbooks.com
© Anais N. Spitzer, 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval
system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
EISBN 978-1-4411-0315-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Spitzer, Anais.
Derrida, myth, and the impossibility of philosophy / Anais Spitzer.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN: 978-1-4411-1710-6
ISBN: 978-1-4411-0020-7
1. Myth. 2. Philosophy. 3. Derrida, Jacques. 4. Taylor, Mark C., 1945– I. Title.
B2430.D484S65 2010
194–dc22
2010040688
Typeset by Newgen Imaging Systems Pvt Ltd, Chennai, India
Printed and bound in India
For
Eugene and Susan Spitzer
There is no unity or absolute source of myth. The focus
or the source of the myth is always shadows and virtualities
which are elusive, unactualizable, and non-existent in the
first place. Everything begins with structure, configuration,
or relationship. The discourse on the acentric structure
that myth itself is, cannot itself have an absolute subject
or an absolute center. It must avoid the violence that
consists in centering a language which describes an
acentric structure if it is not to shortchange the form and
movement of myth.
– Jacques Derrida, Writing and Difference
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements viii
Abbreviations xi
Beginning Otherwise xvi
Chapter 1 ‘What, after all, of the remain(s) . . .’ 1
Chapter 2 Soliciting Philosophy’s Tears 24
Chapter 3 Rend(er)ing the Pharmakon: A Wound
without a Cure 46
Chapter 4 Secreting Myth: Thinking Sa Otherwise 92
Chapter 5 Myth and the Gift, If There is Any 121
Epilogue 150
Notes 151
Bibliography 181
Index 189
vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Like any meaningful work, this book is the result of a long journey
that catapulted me into it before I even knew it was beginning, reveal-
ing landscapes unanticipated and extraordinary. Along the way, I
have been the fortunate beneficiary of immeasurable guidance, sup-
port and inspiration from mentors, colleagues, family, students and
friends, whose invaluable contributions have not only made this book
possible, but also immensely enriched it. Their contributions con-
tinue to stir and enliven my thinking. Any shortcomings that persist
(in addition to the inevitable and unintended remains) are entirely
my own.
I am grateful to many colleagues at Hollins University, who wel-
comed me into their vibrant community. First and foremost I remain
indebted to Darla Schumm, who enthusiastically continues to sup-
port all of my efforts. I also want to thank in particular T. J. Anderson,
Jan Fuller, Pauline Kaldas, Marilyn Moriarty, and Alison Ridley for
their generous, unwavering friendship and rousing support of my
work as a scholar, teacher and colleague, which made my time at
Hollins so remarkable. In addition, I remain appreciative of the fac-
ulty research and development grant that I received from Hollins
University, which directly supported this book’s progress. I remain
beholden to my students, whose passions, hard work, curiosity and
support of each other continue to enrich and inspire my teaching,
thinking and way of being in the world.
I want to thank the library staff at the College of Santa Fe, most
especially Peg Birmingham and Val Nye for their untiring assistance
and friendship.
I owe my development as a scholar to a host of outstanding teach-
ers. Most notable among them is David L. Miller, who for more than
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
a decade has ceaselessly provoked, inspired, and deranged, guiding
me to unimagined habitations of thought. Ever-directing me to new
sources and ancient ones, ever-questioning the sources and courses
of every path, his exacting feedback on early drafts of the manu-
script was invaluable.
My thanks also to Laura Grillo and Richard Kearney for their
comments on early versions. I am grateful to both Betty Sue Flowers
and the late Walt Whitman Rostow for igniting a spark early in my
student career by providing me with unique opportunities to hone
my skills as a researcher and writer.
It is impossible to express the enormity of my debt to Ed Casey,
whose generosity, erudition and wise counsel remain unparalleled.
Were it not for his rigorous reading, his bottomless well of recom-
mendations and encouragement, and his refusal to allow any
intimation of a ‘fundamental project’, this endeavour could not have
materialized or reached publication. He believed in my work even
when I doubted it. Openhandedly and unflaggingly giving of himself
as mentor, colleague and friend, his presence in my life has been an
extraordinary gift, offered with no expectation of return, continuing
its unaccountable bounty beyond all anticipation and intention.
I also wish to express my deep gratitude to Hugh Silverman for his
unhesitatingly enthusiastic interest and engagement in this project,
and most of all, for his indefatigable, ever-curious, open spirit. I would
also like to thank Steve Lavoie for commenting on the final draft.
In addition, I would be remiss if I failed to express my abiding
appreciation to David Avital at Continuum for his steadfast respon-
siveness, his commitment to this enterprise and his legendary patience,
and to Sarah Campell for finally bringing it to print.
The ceaseless demands of teaching, writing and research, as invig-
orating as they may be, invariably create an unintended absence in
the lives of those closest to us. These absences were most acutely felt
(and good-naturedly endured) by my partner, Patrick, who has shared
in my quotidian joys, doubts, disappointments and accomplishments.
I remain ever-grateful for his unconditional love and unflagging belief
in me, which have sustained and nourished me throughout, and con-
tinue to do so. Thank you also to my many friends who have lent
much-needed respite and recharge from the rigorous demands of work.
Although my journey as a scholar, teacher and colleague is still
just beginning, its first steps were in the home of my parents, Eugene
and Susan Spitzer, my inaugural teachers, from whom I continue to
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