This thesis presents possibilities of meaning and communication in the light of the deconstructive thinking of Jacques Derrida. The central claim of the thesis is that meaning and communication are not only possible in deconstructive thinking but that their complex and contradictory relationship with one another is at the heart of that thinking. Deconstruction will be posited as an applied understanding of the generative (that is, lived) processes of meaning and communication. Deconstruction, the thesis argues, is not, as has hitherto been suggested, a process which undermines or negates the possibility of meaning or communication. Rather, the thesis concludes that provisional possibilities of meaning are contextually resigned acts of faith, whilst faith in the impossibility of future communication is the sense of faith. Where meaning stops and communication begins is where deconstruction's faith in impossibility makes that future possible. The thesis highlights six specific contexts within which meaning and communication are provisionally and generatively explored: Derrida's writing on meaning and communication; Derrida and Jean-Luc Nancy's meaningful and communicative congruities; S0ren Kierkegaard's impossible marriages; John Cowper Powys's 'marriage'; the 'realities within reality' of the 'Stonehenge' chapter of Powys's A Glastonbury Romance; and, the author's own conceptions of 'act of faith' and 'sense of faith' employed in line with the previous contexts read through John Llewelyn's 'imagination'. These six contexts are underpinned by five principal questions: what is communication? what is meaning? who or what communicates? who or what means? and, where does meaning stop and communication begin?

Most deconstructive and Marxist cultural theories are at odds with one another because they are concerned with two very different subjects or entities: words and the world. In what follows I will try to show that these two potent theories are fundamentally at odds with each other because they reside on opposite sides of some formative binary oppositions, such as abstract/ concrete, ide81/material, sensible/intelligible, physical/spiritual, and signifier/signified. Of course each of these oppositions is a metaphor; as such the relationship between Marxism and deconstruction must therefore proceed from and always refer back to this metaphorical condition. It is in my political interest to incorporate within this figurative type of atavism the concepts of economy, exchange, labour, power, property, and ideology, the very concepts in which we find not the opposition between Marxism and deconstruction but their relative sameness. Since Jacques Derrida is often referred to as the foremost deconstructive theorist, and since so much of his work is concerned with the theory of language (and metaphor), I will attempt to deliver my co-articulation of Marxism and deconstruction to a political and (I hesitate only minimally to use the term) post-Marxist reading of his White Mythology: Metaphor in the Text of Philosophy. I am of the opinion that Derrida's works lend themselves superbly to politically motivated readings, and I also think that in undertaking such a reading I am opposing a dangerous mainstream approach to deconstruction, one which is virtually devoid of any political, cultural, or social interest or reference. My thesis is thus an attempt to read politically or economic:ally a theory of metaphor which is far more explicitly economic and political than academic consensus allows. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

This research presents a deconstructive analysis of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel Brave New World. As a literary work, it is most commonly considered a dystopian visualisation of the future of modern civilisation. This essay reveals a more ambiguous reading of Brave New World by deconstructing and presenting the aspects of the novel which pertain to the classification of the novel as both dystopian and utopian simultaneously. This conclusion of ambiguity is presented to negate any notion that the novel can be classified as a definitive representation of either a utopian or a dystopian portrayal of the future.

This paper analyzes the blurred boundaries between human and artificial intelligence in Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. A postmodern theoretical and critical approach that employs Jean Baudrillard’s concepts of simulacra and hyperreality and Jaques Derrida’s deconstructive theory provides the conceptual framework for the analysis. The primary focus is on the main character, Rick Deckard, as he grapples with identity, ethics, and the very nature of humanity in a world where androids are indistinguishable from humans. The essay identifies two focus points in the novel. The first analyzes and deconstructs the real versus artificial (human/android) dichotomy in the book and shows how isreconstructs the essence of identity and reality. The second focus point is the novel’s portrayal of empathy, supposedly a defining human trait and yet one mimicked by androids so well that it is practically useless as a criterion for distinguishing androids from humans. The conclusion drawn by this analysis is that Rick Deckard and the characters he meets may indeed illustrate Baudrillard’s hyperreality, depicting a world where humans are willfully stunting their own emotions and autonomy, lost in the false reality that society has constructed. Furthermore, the ethical dilemmas raised by playing God with life, even if it is artificial, align with Derrida’s deconstructive views of how non-binary all life is. This is especially seen in the contrasting depictions of Rachael (android) and Resch (human). Derrida’s views on humanity’s dissimulation of the cruelty of its exploitations, justified by humanity’s own parameters for what is deemed right and wrong, is also seen in Deckard’s moral struggles and the cruelty androids must endure as described by Rachael. This is lastly compared and contrasted with the contemporary development of AI and its potential dangers, shedding light on ethical considerations. While the AI available to us today is far from the kind of artificial intelligence Dick presents in the form of androids, it is, perhaps, not too soon for us to begin considering the moral and ethical implications now so that should the day come, we will be ready and avoid the crisis humanity has fallen into in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Juan Sebastián Ospina Álvarez - 2018.pdf: 10060582 bytes, checksum: e9265c8445db36700e8cba059933db9b (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The present thesis intercrosses the visual cultures studies and the gender studies, having as object of analysis six encounters which made up the NarrATIVIDADES extension project. Genders Lab and narratives, which happened in November and December 2015, March and April 2017, in addition to the narratives produced by the people who committed themselves to the registered design from the School of Visual Arts (FAV) at the Pro-rector of Extension and Culture (PROEC) from the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Masculinities in this study are treated as cultural constructs that are supported by the variety of speeches to operate in societies. For this reason, after reports of several visualities are problematized, these constructs of discipline and control that not only relate to the scope of the affective-sexual, but also to the domain of symbolic production. In this sense, this research craved analyze the possibilities and deconstruction strategies of visualities on masculinities and masculinization of looks, this from hypervisuals talks, works with memories and narratives produced by the group of students and teachers on the main subject of research: objectification and women hypersexualization, especially black women and black men; invisibility of the non heteronormative identities and androcentrism in using audiovisuals and media devices. The methodological approach nicknamed and used in this process corresponds to the hypervisual conversations that consist in an expansion of a narrative research expansion from works with visualities and countervisualities. To better comprehend the proper use of the term ‘hypervisuals’ are threshed, throughout the text, discussions around the concept of visual, visual images, the visualities, the countervisualities, the scopic regimes and many other terms of the studies of visual cultures. Since it’s a study linked to the Line of Image Cultural Research of image and Mediation Processes, this research outlines also the use of hypervisual narratives as possible to develop pedagogical processes with deconstructivist bias. / A presente tese entrecruza os estudos das culturas visuais e os estudos das relações dos gêneros, tendo como objeto de análise seis encontros que compuseram o projeto de extensão NarrATIVIDADES. Laboratório de gêneros e narrativas, os quais aconteceram em novembro e dezembro de 2015, março e abril de 2017, além das narrativas produzidas pelas pessoas que se vincularam ao projeto inscrito desde a Faculdade de Artes Visuais (FAV) ante a Pró-reitora de Extensão e Cultura (PROEC) da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG). As masculinidades neste estudo são tratadas enquanto construções culturais que têm como suporte os mais variados discursos para operar nas sociedades. Por este motivo, a partir dos relatos sobre múltiplas visualidades são problematizados esses construtos de disciplinamento e controle que não referem só ao âmbito do afetivo-sexual, mas também ao domínio da produção simbólica. Nesse sentido, esta investigação almejou analisar as possibilidades e estratégias de desconstrução das visualidades sobre as masculinidades e a masculinização dos olhares, isto a partir das conversações hipervisuais, trabalhos com memórias e as narrativas produzidas pelo grupo de estudantes e docentes sobre as temáticas principais da pesquisa: objetualização e hipersexualização das mulheres, principalmente das mulheres negras, e dos homens negros; invisibilização das identidades não heteronormativas e androcentrismo no uso de aparelhos e mídias audiovisuais. A abordagem metodológica alcunhada e usada neste processo corresponde às conversações hipervisuais que consistem em uma expansão da pesquisa narrativa a partir de trabalhos com visualidades e contravisualidades. Para compreender o uso do termo hipervisual são trilhadas, ao longo do texto, discussões em torno do conceito do visual, das imagens visuais, das visualidades, das contravisualidades, dos regimes escópicos e tantos outros termos caros aos estudos das culturas visuais. Por se tratar de um estudo vinculado à Linha de Pesquisa Culturas da Imagem e Processos de Mediação, esta investigação delineia, também, a utilização das narrativas hipervisuais como possível forma de desenvolver processos pedagógicos com viés desconstrutivista.

The research started in a school context where the teachers were severely affected by the changes in and closing of their school. In my qualitatively based research project, I embarked with the research participants on a pastoral, narrative- and appreciative inquiry approach which assist the teachers to deal more efficiently with the effects of the changes they experienced. By sharing and reflecting on their stories, a climate that's conducive to their well-being was constructed. I describe how my participatory action research invited the teachers to be active research participants, who are responsible for their own construction of richer or alternative meanings in their lives. / Practical theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

Le présent travail porte sur le décor enluminé des manuscrits produits en Iran et en Iraq sous domination mongole (1258 – c. 1350). Cette étude n’a pas seulement pour but de se pencher sur les structures scandant le manuscrit et sur leurs modes de remplissage, mais elle s’ouvre aussi sur les échanges culturels et artistiques dont ce décor est parfoisemblématique. La méthodologie retenue s’articule autour de deux axes principaux : la première fait appel à une « approche déconstructive » qui consiste en une suite de focalisations permettant de passer du macroscopique au microscopique. Il s’agit en fait d’appréhender dans un premier temps la notion de programme enluminé, puis d’examiner leurs éléments constitutifs comme les frontispices ou les shamsa et de procéder ensuite à l’examen de leurs modes de remplissage. Le deuxième axe de cette recherche met l’accent sur la complexité des transferts entre des sphères aussi diverses que la Chine, le Tibet, l’Inde, l’Iran et les chrétientés durant la période de règne des Īlkhānides. Le rôles de la circulation des marchandises et des cadeaux diplomatiques sont particulièrement examinés. Signalons, parmi les conclusions, les (ré-) attributions de manuscrits ainsi qu’une discussion sur la pertinence de l’appellation d’ « Islamic Chinoiserie » passée dans la littérature. / My dissertation focuses on the manuscript illumination under the Il-khanid rule in Iran and Iraq, between 1258 and c. 1350. This study reconsiders the constitutive patterns and construction systems of the decorative components of the book and also underscores evidence of extensive cultural and artistic exchanges on the scale of Eurasia. The selected methodology is mainly twofold: The first one lies on a “deconstructive approach” of the ornament by an examination of the material both on the macroscopic and microscopic scales. In other words, the thesis begins with the general characterization of the illuminated programs, focusing thereafter on their constitutive elements such as frontispieces or shamsa and concluding with an examination of the various forms of fillings. The second axis highlights the complex role of transfers between several cultural centers particularly active such as China, Tibet, India and the different Christianities during the Il-Khanid period. Circulation of wares and exchanges of diplomatic gifts are explored to propose clues on the reception of new patterns in Iranian ornament.In the conclusion, this thesis suggests the (re-)attributions of some manuscripts and comments the relevance of the now usual expression “Islamic Chinoiserie”.

The research started in a school context where the teachers were severely affected by the changes in and closing of their school. In my qualitatively based research project, I embarked with the research participants on a pastoral, narrative- and appreciative inquiry approach which assist the teachers to deal more efficiently with the effects of the changes they experienced. By sharing and reflecting on their stories, a climate that's conducive to their well-being was constructed. I describe how my participatory action research invited the teachers to be active research participants, who are responsible for their own construction of richer or alternative meanings in their lives. / Practical theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

Abstract Knowing which factors govern variation in community structure is crucial for assessing and conserving biodiversity. Two main processes structuring biological communities are selection by environmental conditions and dispersal between sites. In this thesis, I studied the potential importance of these two processes in structuring stream metacommunities (i.e. a set of local communities that are connected by the dispersal of individuals). I used altogether four datasets collected from three different drainage basins located in northern Finland. For small species, such as stream diatoms, bryophytes and macroinvertebrates, measuring dispersal directly and for all the species in a community, is very difficult. Thus, I used three kinds of spatial proxies to represent the potential effects of dispersal: (1) the size of species pool, (2) spatial locations of the sample sites and (3) distances between sites. In general, local environmental characteristics explained the variation in community structure better than any of the spatial proxies. The results suggested that stream diatoms, bryophytes and macroinvertebrates should not be dispersal limited at within-basin scale. However, in some cases spatial proxies explained a relatively larger proportion of community variation. One major difficulty when using such proxies is that high and limiting dispersal rates produce similar patterns. Here, I also present and test a novel hierarchical metacommunity approach for differentiating if a significant spatial signal is produced by high or limiting dispersal rates. This approach seemed promising. The results suggested that, at very small spatial scales (i.e. within a stream section) the community composition of stream macroinvertebrates is possibly influenced by high dispersal rates. I also used the so-called deconstructive approach and assigned the whole community into smaller groups of species based on their traits (i.e. feeding mode, dispersal mode and body size). This approach showed, for example, that metacommunity organization of species with actively dispersing terrestrial adults was, in general, more strongly related to environmental variables than the metacommunity organization of more passively dispersing species. I conclude that several approaches are needed for disentangling the importance of dispersal at the metacommunity level. / Tiivistelmä Eliöyhteisöjen rakenteeseen vaikuttavien tekijöiden tunteminen on välttämätöntä luonnon monimuotoisuuden hoidon ja suojelun kannalta. Kaksi merkittävää tekijää yhteisörakenteen säätelyssä ovat ympäristötekijöiden aiheuttama valinta ja levittäytyminen. Tutkin väitöskirjassani näiden kahden tekijän suhteellista merkitystä puroeliöiden metayhteisöjen rakentumiselle. Metayhteisöllä tarkoitetaan joukkoa paikallisia yhteisöjä, joiden välillä yksilöt kykenevät levittäytymään. Käytin neljää aineistoa, jotka oli kerätty yhteensä kolmelta valuma-alueelta Pohjois-Suomesta. Pienille lajeille, kuten piileville, sammalille ja pohjaeläimille, levittäytymisen mittaaminen suoraan ja kaikille yhteisön lajeille vertailukelpoisella tavalla on hyvin vaikeaa. Tässä väitöskirjassa tavoitteeni oli selvittää, kuinka hyvin epäsuoria menetelmiä voidaan käyttää levittäytymisen merkityksen selvittämisessä. Käytin kolmea erilaista niin sanottua spatiaalista muuttujaa kuvaamaan levittäytymisen potentiaalisia vaikutuksia: (1) alueellisen lajipoolin kokoa, (2) tutkimuspaikkojen spatiaalista sijaintia ja (3) paikkojen välisiä etäisyyksiä. Yleisesti ottaen tulokset osoittivat, että paikalliset ympäristötekijät selittivät yhteisörakenteen vaihtelua paremmin kuin mikään spatiaalisista muuttujista. Saadut tulokset viittasivat siihen, että valuma-alueen sisällä purojen piilevien, sammalten ja pohjaeläinten yhteisörakenteen ei pitäisi olla rajoittuneen levittäytymisen muokkaamaa. Joissain tapauksissa jokin levittäytymistä kuvaava muuttuja kuitenkin selitti suhteellisesti suuremman osuuden yhteisörakenteen vaihtelusta. Tämä tulos tuo esille yhden spatiaalisten muuttujien käyttöön liittyvän merkittävän haasteen: samankaltaiseen tulokseen voi johtaa sekä voimakas että rajoittunut levittäytyminen. Väitöskirjassani esittelen ja testaan myös uudenlaista lähestymistapaa, jonka tavoitteena on erottaa, onko merkitsevä spatiaalinen signaali voimakkaan vai rajoittuneen levittäytymisen aiheuttamaa. Tämä uusi menetelmä viittasi siihen, että erittäin pienillä spatiaalisilla mittakaavoilla, kuten saman purojakson sisällä, puropohjaeläinten yhteisörakenne voi olla voimakkaan levittäytymisen muovaamaa. Käytin myös niin kutsuttua dekonstruktiivista lähestymistapaa. Jaoin koko yhteisön pienempiin ryhmiin niiden lajiominaisuuksien perusteella (esim. ravinnonotto, levittäytymistyyppi, vartalon koko). Saadut tulokset antoivat muun muassa viitteitä siitä, että aktiivisesti levittäytyvien eliöiden metayhteisöjen rakentuminen saattaa olla passiivisesti levittäytyviä lajeja riippuvaisempi paikallisista ympäristötekijöistä. Yhteenvetona totean, että metayhteisötasolla levittäytymisen merkityksen selvittämiseksi on käytettävä samanaikaisesti hyvin monenlaisia menetelmiä, sillä jokaisella menetelmällä on puutteensa ja siten eri menetelmiä tarvitaan täydentämään toisiaan.

My study aims to reveal how ideologies, the way we perceive our world, what we believe, and our value judgments inextricably linked to a dominant discourse, have real and material consequences. In addition to explicating how these ideologies stem from a Western philosophical tradition, this thesis examines this thought-system alongside selections from Sandra Cisneros’ Woman Hollering Creek and Caramelo or Puro Cuento. My project reveals how Cisneros’ spatial narratives challenge ideologies concerning the border separating the United States and Mexico, which proves significant as the project of decolonization and understanding of identity formation is fundamentally tied to these geographical spaces. Through the main chapters in this thesis, it is proposed that Cisneros’ storytelling does not attempt to counter fixed ideas of spaces and identity or an alleged objective Truth and single History by presenting a true or better version, but offers alternative narratives as a form of resistance to dominant discourse.