Derrida and the Discourse of the Human Sciences

No discourse is self-sufficient, for it is founded on previous concepts and thoughts. Derrida takes the discourse of the human sciences to be the heir of concepts, which were accompanied by metaphysical systems. Metaphysical structures always include a center, which block the infinite play of surroundings. By deconstructing the opposition center / surroundings, Derrida recalls “play” in the discourse of the human sciences. The center receives its privileged situation through the structure. This decentering encounters us with an eternal nontotalization, which binds us permanent habitation in the midway. We always deal with interpreting interpretations, rather than with interpreting reality.