LOGOCENTRISM Meaning and
Definition
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Logocentrism is a philosophical term used to describe the belief that language, particularly written or spoken words, is the central vehicle for the transmission of meaning and knowledge. This concept originated from the work of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who criticized the Western philosophical tradition for its assumption that language could accurately represent reality and convey universal truths.
In a logocentric view, words are considered to have an inherent stability and fixed meaning, as if they correspond directly to the objects or concepts they represent. Logocentrism also implies the privileging of speech or writing over other forms of communication, such as images or symbols. It assumes that language is transparent, expressive, and capable of conveying absolute meaning.
However, logocentrism has been criticized for its monolithic and hierarchical view of language, neglecting the role of context, interpretation, and the multiplicity of meanings that can arise from different linguistic frameworks. Derrida's critique argues that language is not a transparent tool, but rather a complex and unstable system that is inherently open to interpretation and subject to historical, cultural, and personal contingencies.
Logocentrism is often associated with Western philosophical traditions, such as structuralism and essentialism, which place a heavy emphasis on the power of language to define reality. Derrida's deconstructionist approach seeks to challenge and destabilize logocentrism by revealing the inherent contradictions and limitations of language, ultimately emphasizing the importance of context, interpretation, and the play of difference in any linguistic act.
Common Misspellings for LOGOCENTRISM
- kogocentrism
- pogocentrism
- oogocentrism
- ligocentrism
- lkgocentrism
- llgocentrism
- lpgocentrism
- l0gocentrism
- l9gocentrism
- lofocentrism
- lovocentrism
- lobocentrism
- lohocentrism
- loyocentrism
- lotocentrism
- logicentrism
- logkcentrism
- loglcentrism
- logpcentrism
- log0centrism
Etymology of LOGOCENTRISM
The term "logocentrism" was coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the 1960s as a critique of Western philosophical traditions, particularly the philosophy of language and metaphysics. The word is derived from two Greek roots: "logos" meaning "word", "speech", or "reason", and "kentron" meaning "center" or "central point".
In Derrida's usage, "logocentrism" refers to the belief in a central, stable presence of meaning rooted in a transcendent signified (a fixed, objective concept or truth), which he considered to be a problematic assumption. This notion suggests that language and logos hold a privileged position as the source of meaning and truth, marginalizing other forms of knowledge and modes of representation.
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