THE STATUS OF SCIENCE IN DERRIDA READING

Transcription

1 THE STATUS OF SCIENCE IN DERRIDA READING Eisa Charati 1*, Shahrzad Mahdavi 2, Yahya Barzin Mehr 3, Mohammad Reza Nezaratizadeh 4 1-PhD Candidate of Cultural Sociology, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran 2-PhD Candidate of Cultural Sociology, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran 3-M.A in Persian Language and Literature, ShahrKord Branch, Islamic Azad University, ShahrKord Iran 4-PhD Candidate of Cultural Sociology, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran (*Corresponding Author: E.Charati) Abstract This article presents a new reading of science in terms of neologisms of Jacques Derrida, a contemporary philosopher and sociologist, and analyzes the status of science in terms of Derrida concepts such as difference/difference, logocentrism and deconstruction in postmodern conditions. A comparison of the requirements of science definition and components of Derrida's thought shows that the future of science in Derrida postmodern framework is based on deconstruction of any kind of logocentrism in interpretation of semions and shows the future status of science to be relative, incomplete, inferior and local. Keywords: Derrida, Science, Difference/Difference, Deconstruction, Logocentrism 1. Introduction Science has a special position in human knowledge. This is why it is along with its producers' endeavors and its addressees' relief and serenity. Although the traditional definitions of science seem to be different from its meaning in the modern age, they are by far intrinsically similar. For example, science has been defined as "a branch of knowledge and awareness that systematizes the realities, principles and methods"[1]. Robertson has defined it as "a set of data obtained through logical and definite methods of research" [2]. Rafipour goes a little beyond it, defining science as "the knowledge which is obtained about an issue based on reasoning and deep thinking and using accurate deductive or experimental methods and which is presented systematically and continuously in a set of cause and effect relationships based on reasoning criteria acceptable for scientists and which explicates the issue or predicts about its future" [3]. According to Inglehart, science refers to experimental, provable and repeatable information about certain universal phenomena and its purpose is to explain, understand, predict and control the phenomena [4]. Of course, by science is meant experimental science that uses an experimental method and is based on observation, experiment, theorization and testing the theories. This method can be applied both in natural sciences and in humanities [5]. However, definitions of science will be different in terms of different approaches and paradigms. Therefore, we should notice scholars' attitude toward phenomena and their epistemic framework. One of these relatively new paradigms is postmodernism that presents a new reading

2 of human-related issues. Postmodernism is the output of different thinkers' thoughts and ideas and among the scholars, Jacques Derrida has a new approach toward human and his understanding of truth. This article tend to show how the status of science as a human and social phenomenon will be read in Derrida's thought. 2. Postmodernism The term "postmodernism' was first used by the English artist, John Watkins Chapman in the 1870s, and was then used in science by Arnold Joseph Toynbee in the twentieth century [6]. However, the origin of this thought is attributed to Niche's nihilistic interpretation of the truth as a self-made and arbitrary interpretation which is a function of man's ego will [7]. However, the term "postmodern" was generally used in social sciences after the publication of Postmodernity by David Lyon [8]. Different interpretations and readings have been offered for the term "postmodern" and its use by postmodern thinkers. Budaya, Vattimo and Fukuyama regard it as the end of history [9]. Lyotard describes postmodern as disbelief and lack of faith in metanarratives [10]. Lash considers it limited to the scope of culture [11] and Mc Hale regards it as the unconstrained projection of worlds in the plural'[12]. Postmodernists argue that as there is no truth separate from man's ideological interest, so segregation of knowledge is a norm and pluralism of culture is a truth that human beings should always face [13]. Actually, the distinction between modernism and postmodernism originates in separation or segregation. In modernism, different areas of society are separated and the moral, social, cultural and economic domains are segregated from one another and each becomes an independent area, whereas they are combined and desegregated in postmodernism [14]. 3. Postmodern in Derrida's Thought Jacquesderrida ( ) is known as the most famous philosopher of post-structuralism and one of the most prominent scholars of postmodernism [15]. He believes that interpretation of semions is the continuation of meaning of things in the endless reference of signifiers to each other [16]. He believes that the meaning of a semion is polyphonic and variable and this instability of meaning is one of the factors that lead to contrasts in meaning. Although his ideas about semion are based on structuralism and language, he goes beyond it so that it includes politics, ethics and science as well. He emphasizes deconstruction rather than reconstruction of semion interpretations, rejects the idea of scholars' authority in scientific research and believes in instability and changeability of meanings of semions [17]. Derrida believes that what has led to obstruction of humanities is the search for the general system of thought that wants to disclose the truth, which he calls logocentrism[18]. The following concepts are important in Derrida's thought: Semion In general, any semion has two main parts. One is its objective aspect that is called "signifier" and the other is its subjective aspect called "signified". According tderrida, everyday language has a large number of these semions that are actually presupposed and thus neutral. The concept of semion in essence implies the necessity of prioritizing the phonic substance and establishment of linguistics as a model for semiotics [19].

3 Difference / Differance The term "differance" was coined by Derrida, implying that there is always some delay or postponement in understanding a concept, because meaning is continuously being transferred from a signifier to another signifier in the endless chain of signification. Therefore, there is nothing called constant meaning [20]. Derrida asserts that differance refers to a both active and passive movement that includes postponement, delegation, revocation, reference, deviation, disclosure and storage [21]. Deconstruction According to Derrida, a society can be examined like a text, and deconstruction discovers the intertextual differences, that is, differences that the text has not been able to express. In his viewpoint, true life is itself a text and thus can be deconstructed [22]. Deconstruction means maintaining and re-designing a conceptual and a non-conceptual order in which the first order is accounted for function [23]. logocentrism Life is like a text for Derrida and thus reducing writing as the external reduction of signifier-is a part of logocentrism [24]. Derrida believes that it is a great misconception or illusion that a word is understood as it is expressed, so he calls it logocentrism, which is one of the allusions of the western culture that needs deconstruction in order to be made clear [25]. 4. Science in Postmodernism Thought Science in postmodernism thought is a kind of thought that has its own requirements. Therefore, the preference of this type of thought is limited to its type of use and comparing it with other approaches without considering its background and function is definitely incompatible with its primary principles. If we want to examine science as a human and social phenomenon within the framework of Derrida's thought, the following features can be considered: Science is relative. The first individual and important principle for a scientist is that he or she assumes the relativity of all scientific findings. Popper says: it has now become evident that the old ideal of science, that is, achievement of verifiable knowledge has been but an illusion. Objectivity of science requires that all scientific propositions be temporary rather than permanent. A scientific proposition may be improved, but this improvement occurs in relation to other propositions that are themselves temporary. Determinate certainty is achievable only by internal experience and faith [26]. "From postmodernism perspective, the contents of sciences are not by themselves true or false; rather they are defined in terms of social, economic and cultural conditions of their production" [27]. This feature is obviously related with Derrida's deconstruction concept. Deconstruction which is breaking the foundations stands against logocentrism more than anything else. The belief that words can convey a constant meaning among people relatively easily [28] is rejected in Derrida's postmodernism. Semions are continuously reproduced and the signified is not always what comes out of a signifier.

4 Therefore, uncertainty is an axiom, because otherwise we will be trapped by logocentrism [29]. What has been assigned to deconstruction is indeed saving human from logocentrism not at the cost of its destruction, but in terms of deconstruction on difference / differance basis. Science is not superior Science absolutism considers no place for other areas such as religion, philosophy literature and so forth. The postmodern thought criticizes the absolute superiority of science as truth in epistemological areas [30]. Derrida actually rejects any superiority of science. In life that has been compared to writing, we merely face semions and we can reject logocentrism with difference (in its Derrida sense) and achieve a type of knowledge by deconstruction, which necessarily has no preference over other types of knowledge. Derrida asserts that the difference / differance principle persuades us not only to avoid prioritizing a substance, but to consider all processes of signification as the formal game of differences [31]. Science is Local. A postmodern thinker has roots in his or her native and cultural traditions, seeks to plan different cultural facets and combine them; he or she is a facilitator in the face of ideas and cultures and can put different ideas together more easily [32]. In Derrida's thought, there is no place for monologues and what becomes relatively will consequently become local as well. Therefore, he rejects logocentrism as the monologue of western wisdom. He uses a kind of semiotics that considers all scientific areas beyond the limits of the West, that is, those areas that have not had little appeal but have been ignored [33]. Science is not perfect. In Derrida's perspective, meaning should be regarded as a process in permanently changing conditions that is never complete when a word is used and is even different from itself and its completion is delayed [34]. On the other hand, the continuous reference of a signified object to other signified objects and the open process of the relation between the signifier and the signified creates an interpretative space for the perception process and causes us to keep expecting incompleteness. He sees everything-including his books and the culture of his society-involved in it: perfect skepticism [35]. 5. Conclusion When investigating a phenomenon, one should take different elements into consideration, including the time and circumstances of the occurrence of that phenomenon. The modern era imposes its unique requirements on human and many of the seemingly constant signifiers have been signified differently in the past and this trend will continue in future. One of the aspects of this assumption is the existence of different paradigms that show different signified objects around relatively certain signifiers. Among these paradigms is postmodernism approach which is relatively new and has opened another prospect to the world of the Third Millennium at the end of the second Millennium. Among the thinkers of this paradigm, Jacques Derrida is a prominent character with a new reading of life as a text and writing.

5 By creating concepts such as difference / differance, logocentrism and deconstruction, Jacques Derrida has created a profound path for analysis of semions. From this perspective, science has been evaluated in this article as a social phenomenon that speaks with the language of semions. The evaluations of this article show that science in Derrida's perspective is relative, inferior, local and incomplete. This perspective of science has overlapping with the perspective of scientific postmodernism and it seems that Derrida's thoughts and ideas can represent the horizons of science accurately. Therefore, any type of logocentrism which considers a certain signified object complete over a signifier is rejected and the way is paved for designing other signified objects which themselves are interpretable by other signified objects. Of course, there will be difference/differance with any repetition, which enables the presence of local interpretation on deconstruction basis. References 1. Mehdipour, Simin (2006). Science, Technology, Development, Needed Preconditions for Scientific Development. Quarterly Journal of Scientific Development, 1 st year, NO. 2, p ShayanMehr, A. (1998). Comparative Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, Book 1, Keihan Publication. Tehran. P Rafipour, F. (2004). The Barriers of Scientific Growth in Iran and its Solutions, 2 nd ed., Enteshar Company, Tehran, p Fazel, SeyyedTaha (2012), Informational Organizations and Production of Native Science, Quarterly Journal of Strategic Studies, NO. 2, Serial NO. 56, p Mazaheri, Zahra; Alavi, Seyyed Mohammad Kazem (2009). Traditional Science and Modern Science, Quarterlyjournal of Jurisprudence and Civilization History, 6 th year, NO. 21. P Beirami, Vali (2012). Postmodernism at one Glance, Journal of Public Culture, NO. 16. P Beirami, Ibid, pp Lyon, David (2004). Postmodernity, translated by Mohsen Hakimi, 2 nd ed., Ashian Publication, Tehran, p Asghari, Mohammad (2008), Confluence of Pragmatism and Postmodernism in Philosophy, Quarterlyjournal of Philosophical Knowledge, NO. 2, 6 th year, p Lyotard, Jean Francois : A Report on Knowledge(2008). The Postmodern Condition, translated by Hossein Ali Nozari, 4 th ed., Game No (New Step) Publication, Tehran, p Lash, S. (2004), Sociology of Post-modernism, translated by ShapoorBehyan, 1 st ed., Ghoghnoos Publication, Tehran, p Nojoomian, Amir Ali (2006), An Introduction to Postmodernism in Literature, 1 st ed., Rasesh Publication, Ahwaz, p Turner, Y, H. (2002), Post-modernist Theories, translated by SamadAbedini, 1 st ed., Setoodeh Publication, Tabriz, p Lash, Ibid, p Seidman, S. (2013), Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today, translated by HadiJalili, 5 th ed., Ney Publication, Tehran. P. 218.

6 16. Milner, Andrew; Browitt, Jeff (2011). Contemporary Cultural Theory: An Introduction, translated by Jamal Mohammadi, 3 rd ed., Ghoghnoos Publication, Tehran. P Seidman, Ibid., p Ritzer, George (2014). Sociology Theory, translated by HooshangNayebi, 1 st ed., Nei Publication, Tehran, p Derrida, Jacques (2002), Positions, translated by PayamYazdanjoo, 1 st ed., Markaz (Center) Publication, Tehran, pp Milner, Andrew; Browitt, Jeff (2011). Ibid. p Derrida, Ibid., p Milner, Andrew; Browitt, Jeff (2011).Ibid. p Derrida, Ibid., p Derrida, Ibid., p Sim Stuart (2012) Derrida and the End of History, translated by Mohsen Mahmoodi, 1 st ed., AfsoonKhial Publication, Tehran. P Mohseni, Manoochehr (2009). Fundamentals of Sociology of Science, 3re ed., Tahmoori Publication, Tehran. P Mohseni, Ibid., p Sim Stuart (2012), Ibid. p Derrida, Ibid., p Seidman, Ibid., p Derrida, Ibid., p Seidman, Ibid., p Derrida, Ibid., p Sim Stuart (2012). Ibid. p Derrida, Ibid., pp