Kaleidoscope, continued:
In Derrida’s Defense
The previous entry quoted an attack on Jacques Derrida for ignoring the “kaleidoscope” metaphor of Claude Levi-Strauss. Here is a quote by Derrida himself:
“The time for reflection is also the chance for turning back on the very conditions of reflection, in all the senses of that word, as if with the help of an optical device one could finally see sight, could not only view the natural landscape, the city, the bridge and the abyss, but could view viewing. (1983:19)
— Derrida, J. (1983) ‘The Principle of Reason: The University in the Eyes of its Pupils’, Diacritics 13.3: 3-20.”
The above quotation comes from Simon Wortham, who thinks the “optical device” of Derrida is a mirror. The same quotation appears in Desiring Dualisms at thispublicaddress.com, where the “optical device” is interpreted as a kaleidoscope.
Derrida’s “optical device” may (for university pupils desperately seeking an essay topic) be compared with Joyce’s “collideorscape.” For a different connection with Derrida, see The ‘Collideorscape’ as Différance.
“Collideoscope
Careful don’t look down the wrong end
You will see all colors change into one
But monochrome living’s no fun…”
–The Dukes of Straosphear (AKA XTC)
Comment by HomerTheBrave — Saturday, August 13, 2005 @ 3:38 pm