On the Beginnings of Theory: Deconstructing Broken Logic in Grice, Habermas, and Stuart Mill [Paperback]

In three exemplary essays, author Peter Bornedal promotes Deconstruction as a cogent analytical method whose distinctive critical object is foundational knowledge. In this, he wants to restore Deconstruction as a rational discourse, while continuing to emphasize it as a critique of metaphysics.

Two of the essays discuss the works of Paul Grice and J?rgen Habermas and their theories on language and communication. In these essays, the author demonstrates that despite the attempts of Grice and Habermas to give ontological foundations for inherent communicative rationality, their endeavors are unsuccessful. The third essay discusses John Stuart Mill's utilitarianism and argues that Mill's attempts to decide what is in principlegoodremain futile and incomplete. Ultimately, Bornedal argues that we cannot give metaphysical reasons for rationality or the good life. We can only decide to pursue these ideals, but there is nothing beyond the decision that makes the pursuit necessary or inherent. According to this position, Deconstruction becomes a kind of Pragmatism; or, as the author states, by way of paradox, Analytic Deconstruction gives Pragmatism a scientific foundation.

Peter Bornedalis Associate Professor of Civilization Studies at American University of Beirut. He received his Mag.Art. and Dr.Phil. from the University of Copenhagen, and his M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Chicago. His other published works includeThe Interpretations of Art, Speech and System, and the forthcomingThe Surface and the Abyss-Nietzsche as Philosopher of Mind and Language. He is active in the academic philosophy community and has published numerous articles in scholarly journals.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 The Spiral and the Plane-On Foundational Problems in Grice's Theory of Conversational Logic
Chapter 3 A Desire for Reason-On the Theory of Rational Communciation in Habermas
Chapter 4 The Uses and Abuses of Pleasure-The Many Il)