The Problem of the ‘Idea’ in Derrida’s

Conclusion

I have tried to approach The Problem of Genesis from the viewpoint of “the problem of the idea.” If, as mentioned at the beginning, we suppose this thesis to be the first step in Derrida’s interpretation of Husserl, how was the problem developed in Derrida’s subsequent work on Husserl? I would like to finish this presentation by touching on this matter.

The subject of this presentation was 1/ “the problem of the idea” in The Problem of Genesis. Behind the choice of this subject is my belief that “the problem of the idea” occupies a central position in the entire series of writings on Husserl by Derrida. Namely, 2/ in The Introduction of Origin of Geometry (where the problem of the history discussed in The Problem of Genesis part IV is greatly developed and updated, although we were not able to discuss it here), the “infinite idea” as a feature of Husserl’s theory of history in the period when Crisis was written (and also the “Origin of Geometry”) and the historicity of the idea are brought into question. 3/ The problem of ideality discussed in Speech and Phenomena deals directly with the Logical Investigations, but as Derrida states in its preface, the problem in question is that of the “idea” as the condition for the possibility of the infinite repetition that establishes ideality, and it is upon this argument that Derrida’s argument concerning Husserl’s “metaphysics of the presence” is developed. One of Derrida’s main and consistent concerns was no doubt the “idea” (we could suggest also “‘Genesis and Structure’ and Phenomenology” and “Violence and Metaphysics” as supportive texts), though of course there were changes in interpretation over the course of ten years and more.

Based on the above viewpoint, to borrow the words of Derrida “the presence of the idea” (la présence de l’Idée), which are impressively used in the Introduction, I believe that Derrida’s whole interpretation of Husserl can be understood as a questioning of the presence of the idea. This presentation is only a small part of the possible inquiry that should be carried out on the basis of this questioning, which was begun in the earliest stages of Derrida’s thought.