Philosophies of Language and Society: The Shifting Understandings of Truth, Power, and the Social Construct (3 in 1)

- Derrida: Jacques Derrida, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, revolutionized the way we think about language, meaning, and interpretation. His development of the concept of deconstruction has left a profound impact on philosophy, literary theory, and critical thought. To understand Derrida's legacy, it is essential to explore the key elements of his intellectual journey and how his ideas continue to shape contemporary discourse.

- Deconstructionism: Deconstructionism emerged in the late 20th century as a philosophical and literary movement that fundamentally questioned the nature of meaning, language, and interpretation. It is primarily associated with the work of French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who, in the 1960s and 1970s, began to develop ideas that would challenge long-held assumptions in philosophy, literary theory, and critical thought. The movement was a response to structuralism, which sought to uncover the underlying structures that govern language and society. In contrast, deconstruction aimed to show that meaning is inherently unstable and that texts and concepts can never be fully fixed or understood in a singular, unchanging way.

- Michel Foucault: Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, historian, and social theorist, is renowned for his critical exploration of power, knowledge, and social institutions. Born in 1926, Foucault’s work spans a range of disciplines, from philosophy to sociology, psychology, and political science. His intellectual journey reflects a unique approach to understanding human societies, focusing not on abstract metaphysical systems but on the structures that shape human behavior, knowledge, and institutions.