Jacques Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am (Following)"

Summary

Jacques Derrida's 'The Animal That Therefore I Am' is explored in this script, challenging the human-animal divide. Derrida, a French philosopher, critiques Western anthropocentrism through the concept of 'animal seance,' highlighting our shared animality. The script uses the controversial Orangina commercial to illustrate discomfort with animals behaving like humans, reflecting on our perceptions of propriety and the need to reassess our relationships with animals. Derrida suggests we reconsider our binary thinking and embrace a more complex understanding of animals, advocating for a shift in thought rather than just action.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jacques Derrida's 'The Animal That Therefore I Am' is a philosophical exploration of the distinctions humans make between themselves and animals.
• 🎥 The script uses an Orangina commercial as a starting point to discuss the discomfort it causes, relating it to themes of anthropomorphism and societal norms.
• 🐾 Derrida challenges the concept of 'the animal' as a monolithic entity, advocating for recognition of the diversity and individuality of animals.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about why humans feel shame or discomfort when confronted with animals that display human-like behaviors or are portrayed in sexualized ways.
• 🧐 Derrida's work emphasizes the importance of questioning preconceived notions and binaries that separate humans from animals.
• 📖 Derrida is known for deconstructionism, a theory that posits language as unstable and open to multiple interpretations, which is reflected in his playful engagement with texts.
• 🐱 Derrida uses personal anecdotes, such as his interactions with his cat, to illustrate the complexities of human-animal relationships and the absurdity of human shame in the face of animal gaze.
• 🌟 The script highlights the idea that animals do not experience 'nudity' as humans do, as they lack the self-consciousness and shame associated with being naked.
• 🔍 Derrida critiques the way disciplines like biology and zoology objectify animals, reinforcing the divide between humans and animals without considering the animals' perspectives.
• 💭 The concept of 'animal seance' is introduced as a term to describe the discomfort and impropriety felt when humans are confronted with their own animality.
• 🔄 Derrida suggests that a change in our thinking about animals is necessary, moving away from anthropocentric views and towards a more nuanced understanding of our relationship with animals.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Jacques Derrida's 'The Animal That Therefore I Am'?

The main theme of Derrida's 'The Animal That Therefore I Am' is to examine and question the way humans establish differences between themselves and what they call 'the animal,' challenging the concept of the animal as 'other' and exploring the philosophical and historical underpinnings of this distinction.

What is the purpose of showing the Orangina commercial in the context of discussing Derrida's work?

The Orangina commercial is used to illustrate the discomfort and disturbance that can arise when animals are anthropomorphized and sexualized, which relates to Derrida's exploration of the complex relationship between humans and animals and the discomfort that arises when traditional boundaries are blurred.

How does Derrida approach the concept of language in relation to the animal-human divide?

Derrida, known for his theory of deconstructionism, approaches the concept of language as unstable and uses playful wordplay to challenge the binary thinking between humans and animals. He suggests that the way we use language to conceptualize animals is part of a long-standing history that fuels our misconceptions.

What is 'furry denial' as mentioned in the script?

'Furry denial' occurs when an animal is unaware that it is an animal or of a particular species, as illustrated in the commercial when the Panda is shocked and embarrassed because her clothes are ripped off, forgetting that as an animal, nakedness is not something to be embarrassed about.

What is 'furry reminder' as described in the script?

'Furry reminder' happens when we are reminded of an animal's animal-ness, such as when the camera pans from beneath the deer in a sexual angle and then the deer twitches her furry tail, reminding us that it is indeed an animal.

How does Derrida use the example of his cat to explore the concept of nakedness?

Derrida uses the example of his cat to explore the concept of nakedness by describing his own embarrassment when standing naked in front of his cat. This experience leads him to question why he feels shame and the anthropocentric notion that only humans can feel shame or be conscious of their nudity.

What does Derrida mean when he refers to 'animal seance'?

'Animal seance' is a term coined by Derrida to combine the French words for 'impropriety' (mal seance) and 'animal,' suggesting that being an animal and being improper are one and the same in the Western mind, and challenging the idea that animals are separate from or inferior to humans.

How does Derrida challenge the traditional binary relationship between humans and animals?

Derrida challenges the traditional binary relationship by arguing against the idea that humans are superior or in a master-slave relationship with animals. Instead, he suggests that human identity rests upon following the animal or animal nature, and that we should reconsider our preconceptions and the history that fuels them.

What is the significance of Derrida's neologism 'sanema'?

The neologism 'sanema' is a combination of the French words for 'animal' (animal) and 'words' (mots), which serves as a reminder that animals are many and varied and that our language should reflect this multiplicity. It also suggests a connection between the animal and human language, urging a reconsideration of our relationship with animals.

How does Derrida suggest we should change our thinking about animals?

Derrida suggests that we should change our thinking about animals by moving away from anthropocentric views and binary thinking. He proposes recognizing the multiplicity of our relationships with animals, avoiding the generalization of 'the animal,' and considering the ways in which our language and thought have misrepresented animals and ourselves.