1. In Philosophy (specifically, Jacques Derrida):
* Chora refers to a pre-ontological space described by Jacques Derrida, drawing inspiration from Plato's concept of the receptacle (chora) in the *Timaeus*.
* It represents a pre-linguistic, pre-symbolic space that exists prior to any defined form or meaning.
* Derrida uses it to challenge the traditional dualism between subject and object, mind and body, and to explore the unrepresentable, the unnameable, and the undecidable.
2. In Architecture (specifically, Christian Norberg-Schulz):
* Chora is a term used by Christian Norberg-Schulz to describe the lived space of a culture, its "dwelling place".
* It emphasizes the experiential and embodied dimension of space, how people inhabit and understand their environment.
* It includes the physical environment (buildings, landscape), the social practices, and the cultural meanings that shape a place.
In summary:
* Derrida's chora is a theoretical concept related to pre-linguistic space, undecidability, and the absence of meaning.
* Norberg-Schulz's chora is a phenomenological concept that emphasizes the lived experience of space and its cultural significance.
It's important to note that the context in which "chora" is used determines its specific meaning.