We are trying to determine with Derrida what it means that Cohen was an exemplar of the Jewish-German spirit incarnated in the figure of Kant.  In order to think this let’s go back a little to the Apostle Paul. Debating the dates and authenticity of the Pauline letters is very difficult.  Seven are generally considered … (Part 4) My thoughts on Derrida’s “Interpretations at War Kant, the Jew, the German”

We’ve been thinking with Derrida about examples and exemplars, where traditionally the exemplar is the really real (e.g., true friend), while the example is deficient in relation to it (just a friend).  Thought holistically, the missing third term here is a “bad friend.” The error that Derrida notes is our tendency to see the exemplar/example … (Part 3) Threes and My thoughts on Derrida’s “Interpretations at War Kant, the Jew, the German”

I’ve been writing a lot about threes, like how the threefold degrees of houseness (mansion, average house, dilapidated shack) gives us a clear picture of the concept In that vein of threes, we might also see how the “threefold cord” is a metaphor for strength through unity and partnership. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “And though one … (Part 2) Threes and My thoughts on Derrida’s “Interpretations at War Kant, the Jew, the German”

“In order to understand, Heidegger says, one must see phenomenologically. He thus invites us to the first exercise of phenomenological “kindergarten.” To tear apart [zer-reissen] means: to tear into two parts, to separate: to make two out of one. If a sock is torn, then the sock is no longer present-at-hand—but note: precisely not as … (Part 1) My thoughts on Derrida’s “Interpretations at War Kant, the Jew, the German”

1 Philosophy and Mysticism There is a profound connection between Heidegger and Christian mysticism. Heidegger stresses the passivity and receptivity of thought with the “Es gibt.” For example, we may struggle in futility all night when suddenly the solution “comes to us.” Likewise, we may struggle for days trying to remember a favorite song when … My Thoughts on Derrida’s Des Tours de Babel  (In French, 1980; in English, 1985)

If Heidegger is playful, creating puzzles for his readers such as introducing concepts that are not clarified until hundreds of pages later or in other texts entirely, Derrida is one of the most tangential, deferring writers you will meet.  I imagine the late Derrida reincarnated as a watchdog distracted and chasing a squirrel into a … My Thoughts on Derrida’s Faith and Knowledge The Two Sources of “Religion” at the Limits of Reason Alone

I’ve done two main blog series on Derrida so far: Landing Page for Posts on Martin Heidegger and Jacques Derrida on the Philosophy of Death and (INDEX) My Blog Series on the Anthology by and About John Caputo: Cross and Khora Now I’m moving on to his anthology “Acts of Religion.” Religious is an interesting … Announcing New Blog Series: Jacques Derrida’s Acts of Religion

What is Postmodern Philosophy?  Postmodernism is what you get when you deconstruct the modern-Cartesian foundation of truth as certainty, free from doubt, to see it is not absolute but receives its privilege from Christianity from Thomas to Luther, because what had to be certain as free from doubt in that context was the salvation of … Reflections on my now Completed Caputo Blog Series: Jesus and Postmodern Philosophy

THE POSTS There are many different paths in the Jesus tradition, and so we have Jesus on the cross in Mark begging God to save him but keeping trust in God’s plan and faithfulness. By contrast, in Luke-Acts we have the condemned Jesus and Stephen, not begging God to send a legion of angels to … (INDEX) My Blog Series on the Anthology by and About John Caputo: Cross and Khora