Eternal Youth and the Myth of Deconstruction: An Archetypal Reading of Jacques Derrida and Judith Butler

Bret Alderman's book explores the myth of deconstruction and how it relates to the concept of eternal youth. He examines literary works by various authors to illustrate how deconstruction addresses issues such as presence, deferral, authority
Bret Alderman's book explores the myth of deconstruction and how it relates to the concept of eternal youth. He examines literary works by various authors to illustrate how deconstruction addresses issues such as presence, deferral, authority, limits, time, and representation. Alderman argues that deconstruction tells a mythic story that resonates with the idea of eternal youth, highlighting the recurring themes of presence, deferral, authority, limits, time, and representation in both deconstruction and the concept of eternal youth.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Eternal Youth and the Myth of Deconstruction is a thought-provoking book by Bret Alderman that delves into the realm of deconstruction and its connection to the concept of eternal youth. Alderman meticulously examines a wide range of texts and literary works to unravel the mythical narrative woven within deconstruction. He explores psychological and philosophical dimensions, drawing upon the insights of Carl Jung and other scholars.

Deconstruction, as coined by Jacques Derrida, emerges from a willingness to continually reproduce mythical ideas. These ideas bear a striking resemblance to the puer aeternus, or eternal youth, as described by Jungian and Post-Jungian writers. Alderman supports his argument by analyzing numerous Derridean texts and offering interpretations of literary works by authors such as Milan Kundera, J.M. Barrie, Dante, Apuleius, and others. These readings highlight that deconstruction's concerns with presence, deferral, authority, limits, time, and representation are also central to the eternal youth as envisioned by Marie-Louise Von Franz and James Hillman.

Judith Butler's deconstruction of sex and gender exhibits similar patterns, and she serves as a contemporary exemplar of the deconstructive approach. Eternal Youth and the Myth of Deconstruction offers valuable insights for students and scholars of depth psychology and continental philosophy. Its clear and accessible style makes it appealing to advanced scholars as well as educated laypersons interested in exploring these philosophical concepts.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032455327