Participation, mystery, and metaxy in the texts of Plato and Derrida

• Main Author: DiRuzza, Travis Michael
• Language: EN
• Published: California Institute of Integral Studies 2015
• Subjects: Comparative literature|Philosophy of Religion|Philosophy
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1600990

<p> This thesis explores Derrida&rsquo;s engagement with Plato, primarily in the texts &ldquo;How to Avoid Speaking: Denials&rdquo; and <i>On the Name.</i> The themes of participation and performance are focused on through an analysis of the concepts of <i>mystery</i> and <i> metaxy</i> (&mu;&epsi;&tau;&alpha;&xi;&nu;). The crucial performative aspects of Plato and Derrida&rsquo;s texts are often under appreciated. Neither author simply <i>says</i> what he means; rather their texts are meant to <i>do</i> something to the reader that surpasses what could be accomplished through straightforward reading comprehension. This enacted dimension of the text underscores a participatory worldview that is not just intellectually formulated, but performed by the text in a way that draws the reader into an event of participation&mdash;instead of its mere contemplation. On this basis, I propose a closer alliance between these authors&rsquo; projects than has been traditionally considered.</p>