Deconstructing the rhetoric of philosophy

Abstract

In this paper an attempt is made to demonstrate the rhetorical thrust of philosophy. Contrary to the traditional assumption, .it is argued that rhetoric rather than logic motivates philosophizing. The "irrationalism" of Gorgias, the Sophist, as well as rhetorical elements in Socratic thought, are considered in this regard. This particular form of irrationalism is construed as a liberation from the fetters of rationalistic illusion.
Next, a brief investigation of Nietzsche's "deconstruction" of language and knowledge is undertaken: He is seen to operate in the same (sophistic) tradition. Then there is a section on the contemporary deconstructionist approach of Jacques Derrida and Paul de Man who expose tropic activity within philosophical discourse itself. Finally, the interaction of Derrida and Heidegger is briefly examined, together with an assessment of the hermeneutical implications of the deconstructionist approach.

Opsomming
In hierdie artikel word 'n poging aangewend om die retoriese dryfkrag van die filosofie te demonstreer. In teenstelling met die tradisionele opvatting word aangevoer dat retoriek, eerder as logika, die aanvanklike beweegrec;te van die filosofie is. Die "irrasionalisme" van Gorgias, die Solis, sowel as die retoriese elemente van die Sokratiese denke word in hierdie verband bespreek. Hierdie besondere vorm van irrasionalisme word as die bevryding van die greep van die rasionalistiese illusie voorgehou.
Daarna volg 'n saaklike uiteensetting van Nietzsche se "dekonstruksie" van taal en kennis. Hy word in terme van dieselfde (sofistiese) tradisie benader. Vervolgens word die huidige dekonstruksionistiese benaderings van Jacques Derrida en Paul de Man, waarin die metaforiese aktiwiteit van die filosofiese diskoers blootgele word, bespreek. Laastens word die verhouding tussen Derrida en Heidegger kortliks ondersoek, tesame met 'n kritiese waardering van die hermeneutiese implikasies van die dekonstruksie-benadering.