Deconstruction Through Writing

Abstract

This chapter turns to the ideas of French philosopher, Jacques Derrida. We look at what drives the critical work of deconstruction in defence of ‘the relentless pursuit of the impossible, which means, of things whose possibility is sustained by their impossibility’ (Caputo, Deconstruction in a nutshell: a conversation with Jacques Derrida. Fordham University Press, New York, 1997: 32). Specifically, we look at what academic activists can do regarding what lies beyond them and is not immediately apparent. We contend that conceptions of academic responsibility are tied to relational encounters with texts (reading and writing), as well as teaching and research. As such, academic responsibility cannot be remiss of its potential to cause harm, as in the perpetuation of social injustices. Instead, academic activism as a responsible endeavour centres on giving back and is focused on ensuring beneficial forms of engagement with students, communities or society. This, we maintain, cultivates a re-conscientisation of the university.