Jacques Derrida: A Biography

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

At the time of his death in 2004, Jacques Derrida was arguably the most influential and the most controversial thinker in contemporary philosophy. Deconstruction, the movement that he founded, has received as much criticism as admiration and provoked one of the most contentious philosophical debates of the twentieth century. Jacques Derrida: A Biography offers for the first time a complete biographical overview of this important philosopher, drawing on Derrida's own accounts of his life as well as the narratives of friends and colleagues. Powell explores Derrida's early life in Algeria, his higher education in Paris and his development as a thinker. Jacques Derrida: A Biography provides an essential and engaging account of this major philosopher's remarkable life and work.

Reviews

"...a strong overview of the work and placing it in a framework that illuminates the development of Derrida's thought over the forty years of his career."- Nancy J. Holland, Notre Dame Philosophical Review, June 27, 2007 -- Notre Dame Philosophical Review
This concise biography of Derrida encompasses his life and works. Beginning with Derrida's early years in Algeria, Powell quickly moves to Derrida's intellectual development and the range of philosophical thought to which he is responding. Powell explores Derrida's writings in the context of his life and times, showing the continuity without reducing Derrida's complexities to simplified method or doctrine. Powell draws evidence from Derrida's texts, comments from colleagues and friends, and Derrida's own descriptions of his life garnered from published interviews.Since personal correspondence is not yet available, the biography lacks a private look into Derrida and instead presents him as a mystery. Much more revealing is the commentary on Derrida's oeuvre, his philosophical positions, and his response to other philosophers, both predecessors and contemporaries. Those encountered range from Husserl and Althusser to Foucault and Lacan to Nietzsche and Heidegger. The clarity of discussion of Derrida's philosophy makes this work quite accessible. The book has an unnecessary apologetic tone that reveals more about the author's milieu than Derrida's recognized importance to the discipline of philosophy. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-/upper-level undergraduates; general readers. * Choice *

Author Bio

Jason Powell has a PhD in philosophy and is the author of Jacques Derrida: A Biography and Heidegger's Contributions to Philosophy. He has served with the British Army in Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo and now works as a freelance writer.