Chinese and Western Philosophical and Ethical Perspectives: Différance Rather Than Incommensurability or Sameness. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sigurðsson, Geir
• Is Part Of: Diogenes. Volume 64:Number 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Chinese philosophy -- interpretation -- Derrida -- Différance -- incommensurability -- hermeneutics; Philosophy -- Periodicals; Humanities -- Periodicals; 001
• DOI: 10.1177/03921921211068258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0392-1921

Abstract

This experimental article claims that relatively recent trends in Western philosophy provide a much more open approach to philosophies originating in nonwestern traditions, including the Chinese, than found in most mainstream Western philosophy. More specifically, I argue that a slightly modified version of Jacques Derrida's concept of différance offers a hermeneutic parallel to native Chinese philosophical approaches to interpretation. These converge in the view that Western and Chinese philosophies cannot be reduced to the other in conceptual terms and that a finalized meaning or interpretation of each is a priori unattainable, thus providing a future opening for – and even integration of – a Chinese-Western dialogue in global philosophy and ethics. *