Abstract
The 20th century has witnessed an unprecedented exploration and development of the concept of human essence in the Western theoretical community. In the early 20th century, Heidegger proposed that human essence was existence. Later, Foucault argued that human essence was power. By the end of the 20th century, Derrida clearly pointed out that human essence was neither pure existence as advocated by the existentialists, nor pure power, as claimed by the power theorists. Instead, it is something between existence and power: the “powerization” of existence, which Derrida termed “sovereignty.” The operating rhythm of sovereignty involves the autonomy of automation, specifically speaking, the ordering of disorder, the culturalization of nature, and the rationalization of instinct, constituting the most fundamental mode of existence for the sovereign. By thoroughly examing and elucidating the keyword “sovereignty” that frequently appears in Heidegger's later works and by analyzing and interpreting the classic character Robinson Crusoe, created by Daniel Defoe, Derrida fully and forcefully confirmed his view of the essence on sovereignty. Derrida's theory of sovereignty has advanced the exploration and discussion of human essence in Western cultural and intellectual circles to an unprecedented height.
Keywords
existence, power, sovereignty, Derrida, Robinson Crusoe
First Page
158
Last Page
167
Recommended Citation
Xiao, Jinlong. 2025. "Derrida's Theory of Sovereignty—And His Criticism of Robinson Crusoe." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 44, (6): pp.158-167. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol44/iss6/16
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