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Perfect and Imperfect Character in Plato and Derrida: A Distinction with Respect to "Universals" and Its Relevance for Feminist Thought

Veneklase, Matthew
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1397840835

Abstract Details

2014, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Philosophy.
This paper attempts to develop and apply two contrary concepts, referred to as perfect character and imperfect character. Both have to do with a very broadly construed notion of universals, wherein a universal is anything predicable of more than one other thing. The point of this definition is exclude particulars, or individuals, and thereby limit the scope of inquiry, while also avoiding traditional disputes over the metaphysical reality or non-reality of universals. The concept of perfect character is drawn from relevant works of Plato, and is hypothesized to be the usual way in which universals are understood. That of imperfect character is drawn largely from relevant works of Jacques Derrida, although those of Martin Heidegger and Ludwig Wittgenstein are considered as well. In developing these concepts, a certain amount of logical analysis is employed, although the limits of such analysis are also made clear. An attempt is then made to show the relevance of this distinction for feminist philosophy, in particular with respect to concerns that contemporary constructions of femininity function oppressively. To this end, works by several feminist thinkers are consulted, an article by Sandra Lee Bartky providing the focal point. The basic conclusion is that to understand femininity as having imperfect, rather than perfect, character, would undermine any oppressive functions of current constructions of femininity. The relevance to other feminist concerns of the distinction between perfect and imperfect character is also indicated. Besides feminist thought, this distinction should also be relevant to other inquiries, such as those concerning race and racism, post-colonial thinking, justice, and ecological concerns.
Gina Zavota (Advisor)
David Odell-Scott (Committee Member)
Jung-Yeup Kim (Committee Member)
Jennifer Larson (Committee Member)
85 p.
Gender Studies; Philosophy
Derrida; Plato; Bartky; Universals; Self-Identity; Heidegger; family resemblance; feminism; femininity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Veneklase, M. (2014). Perfect and Imperfect Character in Plato and Derrida: A Distinction with Respect to "Universals" and Its Relevance for Feminist Thought [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1397840835

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Veneklase, Matthew. Perfect and Imperfect Character in Plato and Derrida: A Distinction with Respect to "Universals" and Its Relevance for Feminist Thought. 2014. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1397840835.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Veneklase, Matthew. "Perfect and Imperfect Character in Plato and Derrida: A Distinction with Respect to "Universals" and Its Relevance for Feminist Thought." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1397840835

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1397840835
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.