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deconstruction

A critical orientation developed by the philosopher Jacques Derrida, deconstruction aims to uncover the operations by which texts lay claim to authority, power, and self-consistency by fixing the free play of différance. Derrida's own work concentrates on the texts of Western philosophy; other critics use deconstruction to critique the authority of political systems and hegemonic ideas about race, gender, and sexuality.

• Derrida, Jacques
• Devi, Mahasweta
• Djebar, Assia
• Gerber, Asa
• Green, André
• Matilal, Biwal Krishna
• Naipaul, V. S.

• aporia
• deconstruction
• différance
• dilemma
• mortiferous self-knowledge
• narcissism
• subaltern