Positions [Paperback]

Jacques Derrida (Author), Alan Bass (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226143317 | ISBN-13: 978-0226143316 | Publication Date: November 15, 1982 | Edition: 1

Positions is a collection of three interviews with Jacques Derrida that illuminate and make more accessible the complex concepts and terms treated extensively in such works as Writing and Difference and Dissemination. Derrida takes positions on his detractors, his supporters, and the two major preoccupations of French intellectual life, Marxism and psychoanalysis.

The interviews included in this volume offer a multifaceted view of Derrida. "Implications: Interview with Henri Ronse" contains a succinct statement of principles. "Seminology and Grammatology: Interview with Julia Kristeva" provides important clarifications of the role played by linguistics in Derrida's work. "Positions: Interview with Jean-Louis Houdebine and Guy Scarpetta" is a wide-ranging discussion that touches on many of the polemics that Derrida's work as provoked.

Alan Bass, whose translation of Writing and Difference was highly praised for its clarity, accuracy, and readability, has provided extremely useful critical notes, full of vital information, including historical background.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Positions is a collection of three interviews with Jacques Derrida that illuminate and make more accessible the complex concepts and terms treated extensively in such works as Writing and Difference and Dissemination. Derrida takes positions on his detractors, his supporters, and the two major preoccupations of French intellectual life, Marxism and psychoanalysis.

The interviews included in this volume offer a multifaceted view of Derrida. "Implications: Interview with Henri Ronse" contains a succinct statement of principles. "Seminology and Grammatology: Interview with Julia Kristeva" provides important clarifications of the role played by linguistics in Derrida's work. "Positions: Interview with Jean-Louis Houdebine and Guy Scarpetta" is a wide-ranging discussion that touches on many of the polemics that Derrida's work as provoked.

Alan Bass, whose translation of Writing and Difference was highly praised for its clarity, accuracy, and readability, has provided extremely useful critical notes, full of vital information, including historical background.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (November 15, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226143317
• ISBN-13: 978-0226143316
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jacques Derrida (1930-2004), was born in Algeria, has been called the most famous philosopher of our time. He was the author of a number of books, including Writing and Difference, which came to be seen as defining texts of postmodernist thought.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars he is a monolith, but also a man, May 6, 2001

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"longggg_duree" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Positions (Paperback)

positions is a collection of three interviews with derrida, all of which offer a pretty good introduction to his line of thought. this book is a lot better starting point than say, 'of grammatology', its really a lot less intimidating. this is of course because derrida is speaking verbally, 'improvising', and there isnt as much seemingly paradoxical word play. from 'positions' you can get a pretty good idea about what differance, logocentrism, and grammatology are all about. ignore all the criticism of derrida as a reductionist/nihilist who wants to demolish philosophy, he is a brilliant, poetic, innovative man.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Collection, August 16, 2010

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Mr. Steiner (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Positions (Paperback)

Positions is a collection of three interviews with the late Jacques Derrida, given after the major works (Writing and Difference, Grammatology) had already been released. This volume is a very helpful introduction to the major concepts Derrida developed-you will come to be acquainted with differance, logocentrism, and the archi-trace. Although this is not the best explication of deconstruction (as it has often been described), there is no doubt that Derrida's casual remarks on his work are elucidative and still creative. The interview with Kristeva is particularly interesting.