Phenomenology or Deconstruction?: The Question of Ontology in Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Paul Ricoeur, and Jean-Luc Nancy

Phenomenology or Deconstruction? contains new readings of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Paul Ric?ur, and Jean-Luc Nancy. Jacques Derrida's engagement with phenomenological themes generates a new understanding of "being" and "presence" that exposes significant blindspots in traditional readings of both phenomenology and deconstruction. In reproducing neither a stock phenomenological reaction to deconstruction nor the routine deconstructive reading of phenomenology, Christopher Watkin provides a fresh assessment of the future of phenomenology along with a new reading of the deconstructive legacy. Through careful studies of the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty, Ric?ur, and Nancy, Watkin shows how a phenomenological tradition much wider and richer than Husserl or Heidegger takes into account Derrida's critique of ontology while maintaining a commitment to the ontological. This new reading fundamentally recasts the relation between deconstruction and phenomenology and marks the first sustained discussion of the possibilities and problems for future "deconstructive phenomenology." Phenomenology or Deconstruction? challenges traditional understandings of the relationship between phenomenology and deconstruction through new readings of the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Paul Ricur and Jean-Luc Nancy. A constant dialogue with Jacques Derrida's engagement with phenomenological themes provides the impetus to establishing a new understanding of 'being' and 'presence' that exposes significant blindspots inherent in traditional readings of both phenomenology and deconstruction. In reproducing neither a stock phenomenological reaction to deconstruction nor the routine deconstructive reading of phenomenology, Christopher Watkin provides a fresh assessment of the possibilities for the future of phenomenology, along with a new reading of the deconstructive legacy. Through detailed studies of the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty, Ricur and Nancy, he shows how a phenomenological tradition much wider and richer than Husserlian or Heideggerean thought alone can take account of Derrida's critique of ontology and yet still hold a commitment to the ontological. This new reading of being and presence fundamentally re-draws our understanding of the relation of deconstruction and phenomenology, and provides the first sustained discussion of the possibilities and problems for any future 'deconstructive phenomenology'. Phenomenology or Deconstruction? challenges traditional understandings of the relationship between phenomenology and deconstruction through new readings of the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Paul Ricœur and Jean-Luc Nancy. A constant dialogue with Jacques Derrida's engagement with phenomenological themes provides the impetus to establishing a new understanding of'being'and'presence'that exposes significant blindspots inherent in traditional readings of both phenomenology and deconstruction.In reproducing neither a stock phenomenological reaction to deconstruction nor the routine deconstructive reading of phenomenology, Christopher Watkin provides a fresh assessment of the possibilities for the future of phenomenology, along with a new reading of the deconstructive legacy. Through detailed studies of the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty, Ricœur and Nancy, he shows how a phenomenological tradition much wider and richer than Husserlian or Heideggerean thought alone can take account of Derrida's critique of ontology and yet still hold a commitment to the ontological. This new reading of being and presence fundamentally re-draws our understanding of the relation of deconstruction and phenomenology, and provides the first sustained discussion of the possibilities and problems for any future'deconstructive phenomenology'. Phenomenology Or Deconstruction? Challenges Traditional Understandings Of The Relationship Between Phenomenology And Deconstruction Through New Readings Of The Work Of Maurice Merleau-ponty, Paul Ricoeur And Jean-luc Nancy. A Constant Dialogue With Jacques Derrida's Engagement With Phenomenological Themes Provides The Impetus To Establishing A New Understanding Of 'being' And 'presence' That Exposes Significant Blindspots Inherent In Traditional Readings Of Both Phenomenology And Deconstruction. This New Reading Of Being And Presence Fundamentally Re-draws Our Understanding Of The Relation Of Deconstruction And Phenomenology, And Provides The First Sustained Discussion Of The Possibilities And Problems For Any Future 'deconstructive Phenomenology.'--jacket. Christopher Watkin. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 211-262) And Index. Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Abbreviations 10 Introduction 14 1. Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Perception 26 2. Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Language 58 3. Paul Ricoeur: Selfhood 89 4. Paul Ricoeur: Justice 119 5. Jean-Luc Nancy: Sense 149 6. Jean-Luc Nancy: Plurality 182 Concluding Remarks 216 Bibliography and Further Reading 224 Index 276