1. "Logocentrism" and "The Phallogocentric System":
* Deconstruction critiques the idea of a "center" or "absolute meaning" in language. This "center," often associated with a "logocentric" system, is built on a hierarchical opposition, with one term prioritized over the other.
* One example is the phallogocentric system, where the masculine (phallus) is considered the dominant term, relegating the feminine to a subordinate position. This system, according to deconstruction, is ultimately unstable and impossible to sustain.
2. "Deconstruction of Binary Oppositions":
* Deconstruction aims to show that binary oppositions (good/evil, male/female, etc.) are not truly independent but are actually interdependent and mutually constitutive. This means that the meaning of one term is dependent on the other, making a stable, absolute meaning for either term impossible.
* For example, the concept of "masculinity" relies on the definition of "femininity" and vice-versa. Trying to define one without the other leads to a breakdown of meaning.
3. "The Instability of Meaning":
* Deconstruction emphasizes the fluidity and instability of language and meaning. Because words are constantly being redefined and reinterpreted, it's impossible to achieve a definitive, fixed meaning.
* This leads to a questioning of the possibility of "truth" as something absolute and objective.
4. "The Paradox of the Sign":
* Derrida argues that the sign (the word or symbol) is always at a distance from the signified (the concept it represents). This means that there's always a gap between the word and its intended meaning.
* This gap makes it impossible for language to ever fully capture or convey meaning perfectly.
In summary:
While "lexical impossibility" may not be a specific term, it's likely related to the deconstructionist idea that language is ultimately inadequate in conveying meaning due to its inherent instability, its dependence on binary oppositions, and the "logocentric" system that prioritizes a single, dominant term.
To further understand, consider:
* Jacques Derrida's works: "Of Grammatology," "Writing and Difference," "Margins of Philosophy," are all foundational texts in deconstruction.
* The concepts of "differance" and "supplementarity" are key to understanding how meaning is constructed in deconstruction.
It's important to note that deconstruction isn't about simply dismantling language or making everything meaningless. Instead, it aims to open up new possibilities of understanding by exposing the inherent instability of meaning and the limitations of traditional systems of thought.