This essay shows that Derrida's discussion of "Differance," is remarkably parallel to Plato's discussion of Difference in the Parmenides. Plato's presentation of "Parmenides'" discussion of ...generation from a One which Is is a version of Derrida's preconceptual spacing. Derrida's implicit reference to Plato both interprets Plato and explains the obscure features of "Differance." Derrida's paradoxical remarks about Differance are very like what Plato implies about Difference. Derrida's Differance addresses the puzzle that concepts are required to construct the beings in a plurality of objects, but concepts cannot differentiate unless there is already a plurality of objects. Plato's version of the same problem is a notational variant of Derrida's Husserlian dilemma. Derrida, following Davidson, is not only skeptical about the project of founding metaphysics on simple entities, but also holds that necessity has no foundation in the "world." Plato, on the other hand, retains the idea that necessity has an objective basis in the self-evident truths of mereology.
Reparations Reconstructed Wheeler, Samuel C.
American philosophical quarterly (Oxford),
07/1997, Volume:
34, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
An argument states that for generations-ago wrongs the concept of "compensation" or "reparation" cannot be reasonably applied. Wheeler contends that by reconstruing the payers and payees, the ...intuition that the descendants of the wrong-doers can have special reasons to benefit descendants of those wronged.
Arms as Insurance Wheeler, Samuel C.
Public affairs quarterly,
04/1999, Volume:
13, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Argues that the right to keep and bear arms is the fundamental right, and that citizen firearms ownership rights are a condition of the practical existence of other rights, particularly resistance to ...government coercion. Cites Sept, 11, 1997 address by National Rifle Association (NRA) President Charlton Heston to the National Press Club.
Explores right of a person to use deadly force in self-defense in certain cases, including use of firearms; argues against popular sorites viewpoint; US. Such cases are independent of guilt or ...innocence of the assailant, are not punishment, and establish a "prima facie" liberty to prepare oneself for such exigencies; right to carry handguns for self-defense, including concealed carry.
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