Abstract

In the postscript of Limited Inc., entitled “Vers une éthique de la discussion”, Jacques Derrida says: “The phrase which for certain individuals has become a sort of generally misunderstood deconstructionist slogan — il n’y a pas de hors texte — means nothing more than il n’y a pas de hors contexte”. He adds to this that while the latter formulation might perhaps be a little less shocking it is also less thought provoking. In any case, both formulations according to Derrida mean “exactement la même chose” .The danger nevertheless remains that the second formulation might either through wear and tear — and concepts are frequently prey to wear and tear — or through overhasty analysis — and the average reader is always in a hurry — end up becoming trivial. Everything depends on what is meant by the terms ‘text’ and ‘context’ and what issues are at stake