The Problem of the Origin of Geometry in the Formation of Derridas Early Conception of History

The problem of the origin of geometry is crucial for understanding the formation and development of Derridas early conception of historicity. Mathematical idealities offer the most powerful example of meanings that are fully transmissible through history. Against Husserls explanation of the particular, Derrida considers that the logic and progression of mathematical idealities can only be explained if they are referred to non-intentional and pre-subjective movements of production and development of significations: language itself, which is structured as non-phonetic writing. Historicity is, to Derridas eyes, the non-intentional and non-present structure at work in the formation and transmission of meaning. Therefore, pure transmissibility of meaning is an essentially equivocal and creative process. However, Derridas analyses fail at understanding the logic of mathematical progression. He explains it by generalizing consciousness inner temporality to what he describes as being the “dialecticity” of non-present temporal modes (retention - protention). But the dialecticity of mathematical concepts is not reducible to the dialecticity of temporal modes of experience. We cannot characterize the pre-intentional conditions of historicity if we put into brackets the concrete field in which history becomes factual, i.e. in which meaning and appearing actually historialize: the effective progression of objects.

Información de Publicación

Autores:

Juan Manuel Garrido

Institución: Universidad Alberto Hurtado
Facultad: Filosofía y Humanidades
Unidad: Filosofía

Revista:

Philosophy Today

Año:

2016

Mes:

Diciembre

Url de Publicación:

https://www.pdcnet.org/pdc/bvdb.nsf/purchase?openform&fp=philtoday&id=philtoday_2016_0999_11_3_137.