The Idea
This claim states that the attempt to fix principles definitively is no longer possible. Principles here are not treated as something that can be closed off and secured once and for all, because history, thought, and interpretation continually reopen them to revision. The focus therefore shifts from seeking ultimate certainty to examining the conditions that make such certainty questionable.
Concise Formulation
Rooting principles: has become impossible
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim represents a central point in the book’s overall argument, because it justifies the shift from a discourse of rooting to a discourse of critique. Rather than searching for a fixed origin that guarantees meaning, Arkoun calls for deconstructing the assumptions that make this origin appear natural and self-evident. From here, it becomes clear that the impossibility of rooting is not a secondary issue, but a logical consequence of a critical historical reading.
Why It Matters
Its importance lies in explaining why Arkoun moves away from language that promises final solutions. He sees closing off the origin as preventing thought, whereas acknowledging the impossibility of fixing it opens the way to understanding and revision. This is a key entry point for reading his entire project.
Reading Questions
- What does it mean that principles cannot be definitively fixed?
- How does this claim shift the discussion from the search for an origin to an examination of its conditions and meanings?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.