TY - JOUR
T1 - How rational can a polemic across the analytic -continental 'divide' be?
AU - Dascal, Marcelo
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - In spite of the widespread belief that there is (or at least there was) a clearcut and deep opposition between two forms of philosophizing vaguely characterized as 'continental' and 'analytic', it is not easy to find actual examples of debates between philosophers that clearly belong to the opposed camps. Perhaps the reason is that, on the assumption that the alleged 'divide' is so deep, each side feels that there is no point in arguing against the other, for argumentation would quickly be replaced by invective. In this paper I analyse one of the few recent examples of an across-divide debate -the Searle -Derrida polemic. Using a threefold typology of debates, I try to show that, in spite of the violent and sarcastic tone employed by both contenders, there is enough common ground, questioning of not-argued-for assumptions, and serious argumentation (on both sides) to consider this debate more than just an irrational dispute.
AB - In spite of the widespread belief that there is (or at least there was) a clearcut and deep opposition between two forms of philosophizing vaguely characterized as 'continental' and 'analytic', it is not easy to find actual examples of debates between philosophers that clearly belong to the opposed camps. Perhaps the reason is that, on the assumption that the alleged 'divide' is so deep, each side feels that there is no point in arguing against the other, for argumentation would quickly be replaced by invective. In this paper I analyse one of the few recent examples of an across-divide debate -the Searle -Derrida polemic. Using a threefold typology of debates, I try to show that, in spite of the violent and sarcastic tone employed by both contenders, there is enough common ground, questioning of not-argued-for assumptions, and serious argumentation (on both sides) to consider this debate more than just an irrational dispute.
KW - Argumentation
KW - Contemporary philosophy
KW - Controversy
KW - Derrida
KW - Dispute
KW - Searle
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61849147919&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09672550110058849
DO - 10.1080/09672550110058849
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AN - SCOPUS:61849147919
SN - 0967-2559
VL - 9
SP - 313
EP - 339
JO - International Journal of Philosophical Studies
JF - International Journal of Philosophical Studies
IS - 3
ER -