A critical comparison of two influential philosophers' approaches to language

This is one of the better books in American Philosophy. The evaluation of Wittgenstein is the best yet by far, and the devaluation of Derrida, despite the various compliments paid him, is quite devastating. Derrida and Wittgenstein is sure to get world attention. --Lionel Abel, Professor Emeritus, State University of New York, Buffalo Derrida and Wittgenstein is civilized and decidedly intelligent and scrupulous. I am aware that all three epithets are usually dismissive. But I mean them as high compliments. You cannot read this book without entering into the joyful business of understanding the philosophical odyssey of the West--or learning that your best discoveries have indeed been tactually prepared for you by the unfolding text. --Joseph Margolis, Professor of Philosophy, Temple University This is a fascinating and illuminating work, certain to be controversial. It brings Wittgenstein and Derrida into a common intellectual space shaped by, among other things, structuralism, Husserl, and medieval philosophy. It will be of interest to everyone concerned with Wittgenstein and Derrida, and philosophy of language generally. --John McCumber, Professor of Philosophy and German, Northwestern University

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Structure and Metaphor The Problem of Metaphors The Challenge of False Propositions Phonemes and Phonemics Structuralism The Challenge of Metaphor Ways of Refusing the Challenge Metaphors and Meaning Metaphors and Philosophy 3. Logic and Rhetoric Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric The Ascendancy of Logic 'Authentic' and 'Inauthentic' Philosophy Based on Rhetoric Derrida's Criticism of Husserl Two Slogans 4. Rousseau and Logocentrism Rousseau's Mischievous Challenge Derrida on Rousseau on Language Texts and Logocentrism Wittgenstein on Differences Contradiction and Reference Differance The Metaphysics of Differance The Emptiness of Grammatology 5. Grammar and Metaphysics Origin of the Problem The Exclusion of Epistemology Wittgenstein's Encounter with Grammar Logic Based on Grammar Categories and Language-Games Metaphysics Based on Grammar 6. Style and Philosophy The Derrida Phenomenon Focusing on Texts Style Definitions/Examples Self-Referentiality 7. In the Beginning References Subject Index Name Index