Is Eco the Czech Derrida?
In 1992 the University of Cambridge decided to award Jacques Derrida, the famous French philosopher, a honorary degree. A letter of protest followed. It was written by Barry Smith then editor of the journal Monist and it was signed by philosophers from all around the world. Among those who signed the letter were Willard van Orman Quine and Wolfgang Röd. The letter and a subsequent discussion epitomize one of the key issues in the twentieth century philosophy - a rift between analytic and continental philosophy. After all the University of Cambridge decided to award Derrida the degree. But even if Derrida had not received the degree, the debate can be understood as a stimulating and interesting lesson in philosophy. It is not without interest that John R. Searle, a longstanding opponent of Derrida (e.g. their disagreement over the interpretation of Austin’s speech acts or over the importance of writer’s intentions), did not sign the letter of protest. Something seemingly ...