The contest of faculties : philosophy and theory after deconstruction /

The title indicates the ``conflict'' between philosophy and literary theory emphasized in postmodern thought. Norris (English literature, University of Wales) corrects R. Rorty's misreading of Jacques Derrida. Norris argues that Derridean deconstruction contraverts, rather than supports, Rorty's temptation-derived from a purported collapse of the distinction between literature and philosophy-to install an ideology of hermeneutic relativism subserving an ideology of bourgeois pluralism. Rather, Norris claims that what is deconstructed is the false dichotomy between philosophy making absolutistic truth claims and an antiphilosophical, self-contradictory relativism. Both are ideological, and deconstruction is radical critique of ideology. Norris defends refutations of relativism based on conditions for the possibility of communicative praxis; such refutations of relativism are nonideological, and presuppose the deconstructive critique of ideology. An excellent contribution to the contemporary debate concerning postmodernism, Norris's interpretations are accurate and beautifully presented. Highly recommended for both graduate and undergraduate literature and philosophy collections.-M. Nissim-Sabat, Lewis University

Norris, the author of Deconstruction: theory and practice ( LJ 11/1/82), is good at mapping the territory opened up by Derrida and de Man. He traces affinities with earlier thinkers (Descartes, Kant, Husserl) and situates issues in relation to the analytic tradition of Frege, Quine, Putnam, and Davidson. Richard Rorty also has this kind of breadth, but his approach (well assessed here) is often reductive. Norris shrewdly identifies the ``vulgar-deconstructionist'' view that ``all concepts come down to metaphors at root'' as the straw man that diverts us from the rigor and patience of the best deconstructionist analyses. He also deals thoughtfully with the interpenetration of philosophical and literary categories in recent criticism. A useful, provocative guide. Alexander Gelley, English & Comparative Literature Dept., Univ. of California, Irvine (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.