The Southern Journal of Philosophy Volume 50, Spindel Supplement 2012

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

Matthias Fritsch
abstract: Responding to Derridas Death Pena t! "e#inar o$ %&&&'())) and its interpretation b! Michae Naas* in this paper I arg+e that Derridas deconstr+ction o$ the theo ogico,po itica concept o$ the so-ereign right o-er i$e and death in -ie. o$ abo ishing capita p+nish#ent sho+ d be +nderstood in ter#s o$ the +nconditiona ren+nciation o$ so-ereignt! that do#inates Derridas ater po itica .ritings* Rogues /())01 in partic+ ar2 M! reading ta3es serio+s ! .hat I ca the $+nctiona need $or a 4theo ogica 5 #o#ent in so-ereignt! be!ond a #ere ! historicist or genea ogica interpretation o$ the E+ropean #onotheistic heritage2 F+rther* I as3 ho. Derrida can $o o. thro+gh on his goa o$ de-e oping the a eged ! $irst princip ed phi osophica stance against capita p+nish#ent2 To this end* I asse#b e so#e ingredients o$ this co#p e6 b+t 4+nconditiona 5 abo itionis#* one that do+bts o+r co#prehension o$ and acti-e re ation to death to the point o$ 7+estioning the co##onsense distinctions a#ong #+rder* s+icide* and ega p+tting to death2 I conc +de that* $or Derrida* etting another die o$ h+nger or AID" #a! be +nderstood as a $or# o$ a death sentence* so that a deconstr+cti-e abo itionis# ea-es no roo# $or the de-e op#ent o$ a good conscience2

In ass+#ing the distincti-e honor o$ responding to Michae Naass paper* to his .a! o$ ti ing the soi $or +s to better read Derridas Death Pena t! "e#inars* a o. #e to concentrate on t.o #oti$s that I be ie-e are c ose to Naass concerns2 The $irst concerns the .a! .e are to +nderstand .hat Naas ca s the 4theo ogico,po itica heritage5 o$ .hich he sa!s its deconstr+ction
Matthias Fritsch is Associate Pro$essor o$ Phi osoph! at 8oncordia 9ni-ersit! in Montr:a 2 He st+died phi osoph! and iterat+re in 8o ogne* Ne. Yor3* ;er in* and Phi ade phia2 His research in socia and po itica phi osoph! $oc+ses on historica <+stice* theories o$ de#ocrac!* and the critica theor! o$ societ!2 To date he has p+b ished The Promise of Memory: istory and Politi!s in Mar", #en$amin, and %errida /"9NY Press* ())01* co, edited Reason and &man!ipation: &ssays in onour of 'ai (ielsen /.ith Miche "e!#o+r= H+#anit! ;oo3s* ())>1* p+b ished a range o$ artic es in scho ar ! <o+rna s* and trans ated a+thors s+ch as Heidegger* ?ada#er* and Haber, #as into Eng ish2 He has .on pro-incia and $edera 8anadian $+nding and in ()%)'%% beca#e an A e6ander -on H+#bo dt Research Fe o. at ?oethe 9ni-ersit! Fran3$+rt* ?er#an!2 At present he is co#p eting a boo3 #an+script on intergenerationa <+stice= it proposes a recon, sideration o$ #ora and po itica re ations .ith +nborn generations $ro# pheno#eno ogica and deconstr+cti-e perspecti-es /)symmetri!al Re!ipro!ity and Ta*ing Turns: +hat +e ,-e .uture People12
The Southern Journal of Philosophy* @o +#e 0)* "pinde "+pp e#ent /()%(1* 0A'>B2 I""N ))BC,D(CB* on ine I""N ()D%,A&A(2 DOI: %)2%%%%E<2()D%, A&A(2()%(2))%(%26

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DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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characteriFes Derridas 4pro<ect5 /D(12 The second #oti$ dea s .ith the abo, itionis# o$ .hich Naas sa!s that Derridas 4#ain ob<ecti-e in the se#inar is to 2 2 2 de-e op his o.n* et +s ca it* #ore Gphi osophica * ess theo ogica * ess strict ! H+deo,8hristian* #ore +ni-ersa iFab e* #a!be e-en #ore GEn ight, ened abo itionis#5 /0B12 I .o+ d i3e to s+ggest that .e sit+ate these t.o #oti$s in their interre ation to Derridas atte#pt* as Rogues has it* to 4sepa, rate*5 despite their 4inseparabi it!*5 the 4e6igenc! o$ so-ereignt! in genera 5 $ro# 4the +nconditiona e6igenc! o$ the +nconditioned5 /Derrida ())0* %D%E %&0'&A12% As Naas .rites in %errida from (o- ,n* Derridas 4la/!it0 consists in a radica criti7+e o$ the Gtheo ogico,po itica in the na#e or +nder the aegis o$ an +nconditiona it! /the other* the e-ent* <+stice1 that e6ceeds and + ti, #ate ! disr+pts a so-ereignt!5 /Naas ())C* %(12 To +nderstand Derridas interest in the death pena t! and in de-e oping a 4princip ed5 and 4consis, tent5 abo itionis# /Derrida ())D* %D(1* .e #+st in3 the atter to an +ncon, ditiona a$$ir#ation that reno+nces so-ereignt!2 %2 THE THEOLO?I8O,POLITI8AL HERITA?E OF "O@EREI?NTY T+rning then to the 4onto,theo,po itica 5 heritage* I be ie-e the Death Pena t! "e#inars are ad#irab ! c ear that the 4theo ogica 5 in so-ereignt! is not <+stItho+gh it is that* tooIa #atter o$ the historica so+rces that Jestern states happen to ha-e inherited2 In +nderstanding .hat is 4theo ogi, ca 5 in the 4po itica *5 it is he p$+ to disting+ish a semanti!ist1 histori!ist inter, pretation $ro# a fun!tional interpretation o$ Derridas occasiona c ai#s to p+rit!* to abso +teness* to the +nconditiona * and here a so to 4the theo ogi, ca 5 in so-ereignt!2 %2% The Semanti!ist Theology or istori!ist Reading of Politi!al

In the conte6t o$ the death pena t!* the se#anticist'historicist reading( .o+ d conc +de that it sti be ongs to the inherent #eaning o$ so-ereignt! to e6ec+te h+#an beings beca+se* historica !* so-ereignt! is a notion inherited $ro# the idea o$ ?od as the abso +te po.er and tr+e so-ereign to .ho# be ongs the
% Jhen citing Derridas Rogues* the $irst page citation is to the Eng ish trans ation b! Pasca e,Anne ;ra+ t and Michae Naas= the second page citation re$ers to the origina French edition and is indicated on ! in cases .here the trans ation .as a tered or .here origina French ter#s are added2 ( I do not #ean to attrib+te this reading to Naas2 It .o+ d be* rather* one .e $ind in so#e pro#inent $riend ! interpretations o$ Derrida /per#it #e to re$er to Fritsch ()%% $or a #ore detai ed ana !sis1 b+t a so o$ co+rse in Haber#as /in The Philosophi!al %is!ourse of Modernity1* .here Derrida is acc+sed o$ deconstr+cting on ! the #etaph!sica abso +tes that histor! is said to be a read! in the process o$ p+tting aside /Haber#as %&C>* D)C')&= c$2

Men3e %&&%* ((A12

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+nconditiona right o-er i$e and death abo-e an! nor# and be!ond an! positi-e a.2 This .o+ d be so beca+se o$ P atos notion o$ the ?ood be!ond being /Derrida ())0* %B>'D)1* Aristot es +n#o-ed #o-er as 4the i$e that e6ceeds the i$e o$ h+#an beings5 /ibid2* %01* and the .a! these ca#e to be interpreted in ight o$ the H+deo,8hristian* bib ica creator,?od2 Je can th+s trace a ine $ro# ancient Athens and Her+sa e# to the #edie-a ?od as so-ereign r+ er o-er creation* and then $ro# the di-ine right o$ the 3ing as ?ods representati-e on earth /as the Pope sti is in the @atican1* to the de#ocratic re-o +tion that* despite beheading the 3ing* rep aces ?od .ith 4the peop e5 as an indi-isib e so-ereign2 I#p icit in this historicist reading #ight be the ob<ecti-e to see3 to $ina ! sha3e o$$ this onto,theo ogica heritage so as to enter into a tr+ ! sec+ ar age2 To.ard the end o$ his paper* Naas reca s that Derrida 4has a .a!s p+rs+ed Gas $ar as possib e the necessit! o$ a h!per,atheo ogica disco+rse5 /00= Derrida ())D* %A012 Ho.e-er* in this dense b+t cr+cia ast page o$ his paper* Naas a so .rites that this 4h!per,atheo ogica disco+rse5 is* as deconstr+ction .as $ro# the beginning* on ! one side o$ a 4do+b e gest+re*5 the other gest+re consisting in 4not ceasing to #editate on Abraha#ic c+ t+re5 .itho+t an! desire 4to destro! or to dis7+a i$!5 it so as to a-oid the idea that one can <+st 4pass thro+gh5 a heritage /00= Derrida ())D* %AD'A012 In prob e#atiFing the idea that one can ea-e behind the ontotheo ogica tradition b! .a! o$ the greater a.areness that deconstr+ction .o+ d pro#ise to de i-er* Derrida sho+ d be seen to point to reasons $or so-ereignt!s c ai# to 4theo ogica 5 abso +teness that* .hi e ta3ing on sing+ ar $eat+res in the E+ropean heritage* are not <+st e#pirica and historica 2 It is here that .e #o-e to .hat I ca the $+nctiona /rather than a se#anticist'historicist1 interpretation2 %2( The .un!tional Theology Reading of Politi!al

To thin3 4the theo ogica 5 in its abso +teness is a so to $irst gi-e onese $ the #eans to thin3 the fun!tional need o$ so-ereignt! $or an abso +te #o#ent abo-e the a.* one that cannot be capt+red or +nderstood* regard ess o$ heritage* .itho+t the right to the e6ception as e6ception to right and a.2 The $+nctiona reading o$ the theo ogica abso +teness in so-ereignt! recogniFes that* gi-en the diff0rantial constit+tion o$ identit!* po.er* and se $hood* the atter can ne-er ta3e itse $ as estab ished b+t #+st decide each ti#e ane. to preser-e itse $ 4ipsocratica !5 in and thro+gh otherness* inc +ding other se -es and $oreign po.ers /Derrida ())0* %>EBC12 "e $,preser-ation happens b! .a! o$ and in reaction to the +nconditiona erranc! o$ the e-ent* a diff0rantial erranc! that re7+ires rea$$ir#ation o$ both the se $ to be preser-ed and the others .ho are needed $or its constit+tion2

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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These others* in their a terit!* a so #a3e it necessar! $or the se $ to be re a+nched each ti#e* to pro#ise itse $ to the +npredictab e e-ent$+ ness o$ the e-ent* the openness o$ the $+t+re that inc +des the se $s o.n death2 No so-ereign se $ .itho+t .e co#ing gest+re to.ard an other that threatens the se $ .ith its de#ise2 In a$$ir#ing itse $* the se $ a$$ir#s the other that it #+st a so cast o+t and 3eep at ba!2B "e $,preser-ation th+s ca s $or decisions abo+t $riend and ene#!* .here the -er! ac3 o$ a pregi-en se $* one that .o+ d +nder ie its #ani$estations* i#p ies the e-ent+a indiscernibi it!* e-en the 4con-ertibi it!5 o$ $riend and ene#!* as Derrida arg+es against "ch#itt in Politi!s of .riendship /%&&>12D Th+s* the aporia o$ the so-ereign decision as 4the decision o$ the other in #e5 /Derrida %&&>* A&1* as Derrida reca s at the o+tset o$ the Death Pena t! "e#inars /DP%* %120 D+e to the constit+ti-e e6pos+re to erranc! and the ac3 o$ an! s+ret! as to the 4se $ 5 to be preser-ed* se $,preser-ation cannot ho d on to pregi-en g+ardrai s or nor#s* e-en those it #ight ha-e gi-en itse $* b+t #+st c ai# its right to o-ert+rn and contradict its o.n r+ es* the r+ es b! #eans o$ .hich it a so see3s to de$ine itse $2 In the case o$ the po itica * the so-ereign #+st c ai# to s+spend the a. and th+s re#ain abo-e and be!ond its o.n* in $act +nco#p etab e and $ragi e identit!2 And it is in this s+spension o$ the a. and the decision regarding the ene#! that .e $ind the <+sti$ication o$ the death pena t!2 In an e6ceptiona sit+ation* 4.hen the state dee#s it is threatened in its e6istence* it has the right to s+bsist e-en i$ it does so b! p+shing bac3 the i#its o$ the a.*5 in e"tremis* b! p+tting to death those it dec ares its ene#ies /DP%* B12 No. one #ight here interr+pt and sa! that this e6pos+re o$ so-ereignt! to the +nconditiona e-ent in no .a! <+sti$ies the death pena t! as the ega p+tting to death2 First o$ a * there need be no ene#! that threatens the so-ereign .ith death= reca Derridas ob<ections to "ch#itt on the gro+nds that the atter s ides $ro# the #ere possibi it! o$ a #orta ene#! to its act+a it! /Derrida %&&>* CA12 E-en i$ there .as an ene#!* it co+ d be co#, bated b! #eans other than 3i ing* and i$ 3i ing co+ d indeed be sho.n to be
B As diff0ran!e per#its no +ndi$$erentiated +nit!* the so-ereign* indi-isib e se $ is th+s as 4phantas#atic5 as is the deter#ination o$ the 4ene#!*5 as Naas sho.s so .e in his 42omme si !omme 3a5 /in Naas ())C12 D The $o o.ing is a basic o+t ine o$ the a+todeconstr+ction o$ "ch#itts te6ts: the ine +ctab e ac3 o$ 3no. edge and indeed constit+ti-e +ndecidabi it! as to .ho the ene#! is /Derrida %&&>* A&* %)A1= the beco#ing,interna o$ the ene#!* $ro# another so-ereign state to the do#estic ene#! to the brother to* $ina !* the se $ as its o.n ene#! /ibid2* %A(1= the con-ertibi it! o$ $riend and ene#! /ibid2* B(* >%* CC* %>D1= and "ch#itts s ide $ro# possibi it! to e-ent+a it! to the act+a it! o$ .ar and ph!sica 3i ing /ibid2* CA12 For a #ore detai ed interpretation* per#it #e to re$er to Fritsch ())C2 0 I +se GDP% .ith session n+#ber to re$er parenthetica ! to !ear one o$ the $orthco#ing Eng ish trans ation o$ the Death Pena t! "e#inars /Derrida* $orthco#ing12

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necessar!* he or she co+ d be 3i ed secret !* not necessari ! as a res+ t o$ ega proced+res2 Jhi e the se#inar* as .e .i see ater* 7+estions this ast point regarding the distinction bet.een capita p+nish#ent and other $or#s o$ state,a+thoriFed 3i ing* Derrida b! and arge agrees* I thin3* .ith these reser-ations2 Indeed* his atte#pts at $or#+ ating another ogic o$ so-ereignt! in -ie. o$ abo ition point in this direction* e-en i$ here* at this point in the se#inar* he #ere ! sa!s that
this ogic 2 2 2 o$ abso +te so-ereignt! and the se $,preser-ation o$ the po itica bod! is going to a+thoriFe the abso +te #aintenance* although or 4e!ause it is e"!eptional* o$ the death pena t!* in the na#e o$ the se $,preser-ation o$ the socio, po itica bod!2 This ogic is -er! so id* and -er! ogica 2 /DP%* B1

One #ight here a so .ish to disting+ish the e6terna $ro# the interna ene#! and arg+e that this ogic .o+ d #ere ! <+sti$! .ar b+t not the p+tting to death o$ citiFens2 In response* Derrida points again* as in the Politi!s of .riendship* to the di$$ic+ t! o$ disting+ishing .ar bet.een so-ereign nations $ro# ci-i .ar or "ch#itts 4partisan .ar*5 not to #ention here toda!s 4.ar on terror5 and s+ch2 For these reasons* Derrida arg+es that an abo itionis#* s+ch as ;eccarias* that ai#s at the e i#ination o$ capita p+n, ish#ent .ithin a nationa territor! d+ring peaceti#e b+t #aintains the right to 3i in .ar is ins+$$icient and ins+$$icient ! princip ed /DP%* B= Derrida ())D* %0('0B12 Ho.e-er* another inherited notion no. co#es into p a! to a ign po itica so-ereignt! .ith the death pena t! as the ega p+tting to death o$ citiFens: na#e !* the notionIDerrida d+bs it 4the c assic phi osophe#e o$ a the great right,.ing phi osophies that ha-e $a-ored the death pena t!5 /DP%* D1Io$ death as proper to the h+#an .ho on ! in his capacit! to e e-ate hi#se $ abo-e i$e* abo-e 4#ere5 or 4ani#a 5 i$e* deser-es to beco#e a s+b<ect +nder a.2 The a. #+st th+s both e6press this e e-ated stat+s as so#ething the ega s+b<ect #a! ose /e2g2* b! beco#ing a beast be o. the h+#an1 and de#and the i$e o$ the s+b<ect* either in .ar or as deser-ed p+nish#ent2 In short* in these 4c assic5 acco+nts o$ so-ereignt!* not ega ! p+tting to death .o+ d $ai to treat the #+rderer as h+#an /DP%* %12 That is .h! Derrida regards the death pena t!* b! .a! o$ reading Kant and P ato* as the 4$o+ndation o$ the a.5 or the 47+asi,transcendenta condition o$ cri#ina a. and a. in genera 5 /Derrida ())D* %D012 In $act* he spea3s o$ 4the death pena t!s parado6ica e$$ect o$ transcendenta iFation that a consistent abo itionis# #+st ta3e on5 /ibid2* %D(1* parado6ica beca+se i3e the so-ereign e6ception and i3e the so-ereign pardon* the death pena t! is both interna to a. /one o$ its a.s1 and e6terna or e6c +ded /a condition o$ possibi it!* a $o+ndation* an origin12

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And that is .h! the death pena t! is $or Derrida the 43e!stone5 o$ a theo ogico,po itica #atri6 .e ded together /c$2 Derrida ())D* %D>'DC1 o+t o$* $irst* a phi osophica onto,theo og! that is seen* b! Heidegger and Derrida* to do#inate the histor! o$ Jestern #etaph!sics= second* o+t o$ a thin3ing o$ the po itica a ong the ines o$ the so-ereign state= and third* o+t o$ a certain concept o$ .hat is 4proper to #an5 as that .hich transcends his #ere i$e* his dignit! residing precise ! in so#ething abo-e #ere or bare i$e* in the abi it! to ris3 his i$e* a dignit! to .hich <+stice re ates and on .hich rationa a. /both #ora and <+ridica 1 is $o+nded2 /This is .h! the deconstr+ction o$ the death pena t! is to be re ated* as Naas sa!s L0(M* to Derridas .ritings aro+nd the ani#a 21 "o the ogic o$ e6ception* .hich p+ts the so-ereign abo-e the a. that is to protect the i$e o$ its #e#bers* is here s+pp e#ented b! this 4c assic phi os, ophe#e5 to e6p ain and <+sti$! the death pena t! as the pinnac e o$ so-er, eignt!2 ;+t despite this additionIand the possib e nonse7+it+r $ro# the ogic o$ the e6ception to the need $or the death pena t! that it indicates in con, <+nction .ith the #etaph!sica idea o$ the h+#anit! o$ the h+#an as .e as the le" talionis and the idea o$ e7+i-a ence bet.een #+rder and capita p+nish#ent /Derrida ())D* %0)'0(1Ithe theo ogica -a +e o$ the abso +te #+st be tho+ght be!ond a #ere ! historicist and se#anticist reading2 Derrida does not <+st asse#b e the contingent re ations o$ $orce and historica e e, #ents o$ an instit+tion or a practice in a genea og! 5 la Fo+ca+ t b+t in7+ires into the conditiona and +nconditiona de#ands p aced +pon s+ch instances2 Jhen it co#es to so-ereign po.er* Derrida #ost o$ten t+rned to 8ar "ch#itt to #a3e this point2 Here* too* "ch#itt is said to be right that .e cannot +nderstand so-ereignt! .itho+t the theo ogica in a sense that e6ceeds* as Derrida c ari$ies* a #ere genea ogica 4ret+rning to the so+rces5 /DP%* B12 In a de#onstration that is $or #e one o$ the ha #ar3s o$ the se#inar* anticipating and e aborating the c ai# in Rogues that to thin3 reason #eans to thin3 be!ond it /Derrida ())0* %()* %BC1* Derrida e$$ects this nonhistoricist c ari$ication /or better !et* not,#ere !, historicist: $or inherit, ance re#ains +ncirc+#-entab e* inseparab e $ro# the concepts it brings $orth1 b! contrasting "ch#itt .ith ;eccaria* pitting the conser-ati-e theo o, gian against the progressi-e and 4rationa ist En ighten#ent5 thin3er2 Neither o$ the# .ishes to i#it the so-ereign po.er o$ the state to preser-e itse $* b+t "ch#itt thin3s #ore consistent ! that se $,preser-ation entai s the right to the e6ception that s+spends the a.* .ith a the parado6es and constit+ti-e aporias this i#p ies $or the $o+ndation o$ a.2 ;eccaria* b! con, trast* .ishes to abo ish the death pena t! b+t #aintain the so-ereign right to se $,preser-ation* .hich he thin3s re7+ires conceding e6ceptions to his abo, itionis#2 "hort o$ de-e oping a ogic that can integrate these e6ceptions into

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his +nderstanding o$ the a.I.hose rationa it! and r+ e,bo+ndedness he other.ise .ishes to #aintainIthe e6ceptions re#ain ad ho!2 ;eccaria see3s to 4reconci e reason and a.5 /DP%* B1 b+t in this -er! /rationa 1 reconci iation #isses the nonrationa and !et +nconditiona so+rce o$ so-ereignt! in an e6ceptiona decision2 O$ co+rse* .e a read! sa. that "ch#itt a so #isses so#ething here* $or this decision does not e#anate $ro# an a read! consti, t+ted so-ereign po.er .ho 3no.s in ad-ance .ho the ene#! is= rather* the decision gi-es rise to so-ereignt! in being a so a decision on the e6ception that 4co#es $ro# the other5 /DP%* %1* e6posing so-ereignt! to .hat .e ca ed +nconditiona erranc!2 "ti * the dri$t here t+rns $irst o$ a against ;eccaria* $or .e sho+ d earn $ro# "ch#itt that one cannot <+st #aintain the so-ereign right o$ the state to preser-e itse $ in and thro+gh e6ceptions and !et re#ain a straight$or.ard En ighten#ent rationa ist* one .ho $oregoes a thin3ing o$ 4the theo ogica 5 and the right to e6ception2A In an e6te#poriFed co##ent at this #o#ent in the se#inar* Derrida e6p ains that thin3ing the theo ogica in so-ereignt! here .ith "ch#itt is not <+st to 4go bac3 to the so+rces5:
Jhen he L"ch#ittM sa!s that a concepts o$ the #odern theor! o$ the state are sec+ ariFed theo ogica concepts and one #+st 3no. this not on ! historica ! in a genesis or genea og!* b+t a so s!ste#atica !* that is* in the ogica artic+ ation o$ these concepts* in order to +nderstand* it is not a #atter o$ #ere ! ret+rning to the so+rces2 To +nderstand ho. this $+nctions* the concepts o$ the po itica = to +nder, stand ho. together the! $or# a s!ste#* one has to thin3 the# as theo ogica concepts2 On ! the theo ogica can acco+nt $or the#2 And this #eans* as he hi#se $ sa!s* that a socio ogica or historica or e#pirica ana !sis has no chance o$ +nder, standing .hat is going on there2 On ! a theo ogian* on ! so#eone .ho +nderstands the theo ogica necessit! o$ these concepts* can +nderstand the a.2 2 2 2 This is .hat "ch#itt re#inds +s o$2 One #+st be a theo ogian in order to +nderstand the #odern theor! o$ the state and* $or e6a#p e* the g oba iFation LmondialisationM +nder.a!2 /DP%* B1

This is .h! it is i#portant not to #is+nderstand the notion o$ theo ogico, po itica so-ereignt! in a se#anticist'historicist .a! that #a! s+ggest the e-ent+a o-erco#ing o$ its +nconditiona e6pos+re to a terit!2 This a terit! is #issed b! a straight$or.ard En ighten#ent rationa is# as #+ch as b! a
A 4;asica !* +pon hearing this dec aration* one co+ d sa!* in order to grasp the #ost interesting di$$erence bet.een a thin3ing o$ this t!pe /a thin3ing o$ En ighten#ent and Reason1 and a thin3ing i3e "ch#itts* that the atter atte#pts to thin3 this Ga+thorit!* this au!toritas and this potestas* this po.er o$ the constit+ti-e po.er o$ so-ereignt! and o$ its theo ogica histor!* .hereas ;eccaria* b! sa!ing he pre$ers reason to a+thorit!* basica ! depri-es hi#se $ o$ the #eans o$ +nderstanding this ogic o$ so-ereignt! to .hich he is ne-erthe ess not opposed2 He .o+ d i3e to reconci e reason and right or a.* .here "ch#itt* in a #anner that is <+st as rationa and ogica * reca s that the origin o$ the a.* i3e the origin o$ reason* cannot be ega or rationa * and this is the so+rce o$ a+thorit!* its a .a!s e6ceptiona so+rce5 /DP%* B12

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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historicis# $or .hich theo ogica concepts are on ! to be treated genea ogi, ca !* as part o$ a contingent heritage2 ;! contrast* a 4s!ste#atic5 thin3ing o$ 4the theo ogica 5 at east has a chance o$ registering the +ngraspabi it! cap, t+red* no do+bt in high ! #is eading .a!s* in po itica theo og!s notion o$ ?od and its abso +te so-ereignt! as precise ! that* both the o$$spring o$ the #ost terri$!ing po.er and the +nconditiona e6pos+re to an arationa abso, +te* a nonpositi-e b+t constit+ti-e a terit! that harbors a pro#ise o$ change2 (2 DERRIDA" A;OLITIONI"M This brings +s to Derridas atte#pt at a consistent and princip ed abo ition, is#* one that* as Naas s+ggests* is the e6p icit goa o$ the se#inar2 Against ;eccaria and a 4+ti itarian5 de$enses o$ abo itionis#* Derrida insists that s+ch an abo itionis# be .i ing to 4 i#it so-ereignt!5 /Derrida ())D* %DD'D012 As .e <+st earned* this #eans not <+st to assert the abo itionist ca+se .hi e granting the state its +n i#ited right to se $, preser-ation* in .hich case #an! can be p+t to death on a ong ist o$ e6ceptions /ibid2* %D&12 Rather* to 4 i#it so-ereignt!5 is $irst o$ a to thin3 its i#itedness* that is* as .e sa.* its contin+a ree#ergence in and thro+gh the +nconditiona e6pos+re to the e-ent2 To deconstr+ct* as a .a!s* is to sho. ho. a gi-en pheno#enon is conditioned b! the 7+asi, transcendenta 4in$rastr+ct+res5 that at the sa#e ti#e open the pheno#enon +p to its +nconditiona destinerran!e or open, endedness2 And this #eans proceeding $ro# the ine +ctab e* and ine +ctab ! per$or#ati-e or prescripti-e* +nconditiona e6igenc! to p+t into 7+estion a conditions and i#ited horiFons a so-ereign entit! pro<ects and ca c+ ates2
For deconstr+ction* i$ so#ething o$ the sort e6ists* .o+ d re#ain abo-e a * in #! -ie.* an +nconditiona rationa is# that ne-er reno+nces 2 2 2 the possibi it! o$ s+s, pending 2 2 2 a conditions 2 2 2 and o$ criticiFing +nconditiona ! a conditiona ities2 /Derrida ())0* %D(E%&>1

This is not* as .e 3no.* a criti7+e $ro# the o+tside* re !ing on pregi-en standards* b+t a reading that proceeds $ro# the a+todeconstr+ction o$ so-er, eignt! itse $* its e6pos+re to its other2 To s+b#it to +nconditiona it!* then* is to ta3e on a conditiona ities that per#it p+tting to deathI.itho+t* ho.e-er* p acing tr+st $ina ! in the achie-abi it! o$ a state o$ a$$airs .itho+t conditions* and so .itho+t tr+sting* as .e .i see* ones o.n good conscience* ones be ie$ in not participating in cr+e practices and in s!ste#s o$ capita p+nish#ent2 (2% (onprin!ipled )4olitionisms First then .o+ d be* as .e said* the critica 7+estioning o$ e#pirica conditions that a+thoriFe p+tting to death* s+ch as those o$ ;eccaria* .hose abo ition sti

AD

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per#its the death pena t! in cases o$ .ar* or .hen the state is threatened* and so on /Derrida ())D* %D&12 Here* .e #+st* as Naas points o+t* re$er to other nonprincip ed stances against the death pena t!* s+ch as the 9nited Nations 9ni-ersa Dec aration o$ H+#an Rights* .hich protects state so-ereignt!* and the 92"2 "+pre#e 8o+rts decision o$ %&>(* .hich o+t a.s the death pena t! on ! i$ it constit+tes 4cr+e and +n+s+a p+nish#ent25 In response to the abo itionis# that #a3es abo ition dependent on 4order* peace* and sec+, rit!*5 Derrida appears at $irst g ance to ca $or the princip ed 4+nconditiona right to i$e5 in order to a-oid .hat he ca s 4a $+nda#enta * str+ct+ra h!pocris! o$ the abo itionist disco+rse in its present state5 /DP%* B12 In .or +hat Tomorro-* Derrida sa!s:
As ong as an abo itionist disco+rse has not been e aborated and e$$ecti-e ! accred, ited /and this has not !et been done1 at the e-e o$ +nconditiona princip es* be!ond the prob e#s o$ p+rpose* e6e#p arit!* +ti it!* and e-en the Gright to i$e* .e .i not be shie ded $ro# a ret+rn to the death pena t!2 2 2 2 The histor! o$ this prob e# is i##ense and co#p e6: ho. to abo ish the death pena t! in a .a! that is based on princip e* that is +ni-ersa and +nconditiona * and not beca+se it has beco#e not on ! cr+e b+t +se ess* ins+$$icient ! e6e#p ar!N /())D* %B>1

Note the s+ggestion here that the +nconditiona princip e that Derrida is a$ter .i p+t +s 4e-en be!ond the right to i$e25 Je .i th+s ha-e to as3 abo+t the re ation that the right to i$e* e-en i$ +nconditiona * entertains .ith the +nconditiona openness that s+stains and +nder#ines so-ereignt!2 (2( Prin!ipled Stan!es in .a6or Penalty of the %eath

;+t $irst* responding to these nonprincip ed stances b! #o-ing +p to the phi osophica p ane o$ princip es* a consistent and princip ed abo itionis# #+st enco+nter and deconstr+ct those princip ed disco+rses in fa6or o$ capita p+nish#ent* disco+rses /s+ch as P atos* Kants* and Hege s1 that ha-e a re ati-e ! eas! ti#e re$+ting conditiona * e#pirica * or +ti itarian abo ition, is#s /Derrida ())D* %0)'0(12 I #+st ea-e $or another ti#e a c oser e6a#i, nation o$ Derridas arg+#ents here against Kant in partic+ ar /b+t a so* to a esser and #ore co#p icated e6tent* against ; anchot12 Ho.e-er* it is c ear that this deconstr+ction .o+ d inc +de the $o o.ing points2 /i1 As a read! #entioned* the ro e o$ the death pena t! both inside and o+tside the ega s!ste#2 /ii1 The prob e#atic distinction bet.een se $, and hetero,p+nish#ent that Kant +ses to c ai# that i$ a #+rderer proper ! responded to his h+#an dignit!* to his capacit! to app ! the categorica i#perati-e to hi#se $ so as not to #a3e an e6ception $or hi#se $* he .o+ d conde#n hi#se $ to death* in ine .ith the le" talionis /an idea a so -er! strong in Hege * $or .ho# pena a. $a#o+s ! has to 4hono+r the cri#ina as rationa 5= see The Philosophy of Right

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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LHege %&&%* sec2 %))M* a te6t not ana !Fed here b! Derrida12 /iii1 Hence* the $oc+s on the connection bet.een the constr+ction o$ the ega s+b<ect and the dignit! and rationa it! o$ 4#an*5 in partic+ ar gi-en the recent atte#pts* inc +ding Haber#ass* to regro+nd h+#an rights in rationa dignit!2> /i-1 The princip e o$ e7+i-a ence according to .hich* as Kant arg+es* a har# done to another is in$ icted* b! .a! o$ the a priori -a idit! o$ the princip e o$ +ni-er, sa iFation* on #!se $2C /To.ard the end* .e .i co#e bac3 to the b +rring o$ the distinction bet.een s+icide and the i#position o$ the death pena t!21 This deconstr+ction* ho.e-er i#portant it re#ains* sho+ d a so contend .ith the c ai# #ade b! Ot$ried HO$$e and #an! others that #odern states ha-e parted co#pan! .ith Kant here beca+se the! no onger <+sti$! pena a. on the basis o$ the ius talionis b+t on the basis o$ pre-ention and resocia iFation /HO$$e %&&&12& Derrida #ight see this as part o$ the a+todeconstr+ction o$ #odern ega s!ste#s that phi osoph! has !et to grasp* $or he charges that 4ne-er has an! phi osoph! as su!h contested the egiti#ac! o$ the death pena t!5 /Derrida ())D* %DA12 (2B Prin!ipled )4olitionisms On the princip ed p ane* then* Derrida $irst o$ a enco+nters not phi osophi, ca b+t iterar! te6ts* chie$ ! those o$ @ictor H+go and A bert 8a#+s2 The $or#er in partic+ ar p+ts $or.ard a princip e abo-e the a.* na#e !* an
> Haber#as /()%)1 begins b! citing the $irst artic e o$ the %&DC 9nited Nations 9ni-ersa Dec aration* .hich re$ers to h+#an dignit!* as does Artic e % o$ the ?er#an constit+tion2 Derrida a so notes that dignit! is indeed c ai#ed b! both sides o$ the abo itionis# debate /DP%* A1 and recogniFes that the 9N Dec aration* .hi e per#itting the death pena t!* ai#s at its e-ent+a abo ition gro+nded on dignit! /DP%* 012 C In order to cast do+bt on this e7+i-a ence* in $act an! e7+i-a ence bet.een cri#e and p+nish#ent* Derrida disc+sses NietFsches genea og! o$ #ora s /DP%* A12 This disc+ssion c+ , #inates in the NietFschean diagnosis that Kants categorica i#perati-e* the one that a so gro+nds Kants stance on the death pena t! $or #+rder* 4stin3s o$ cr+e t!5 /DP%* A1 and re#inds +s that ;eccaria arg+ed in $a-or o$ abo itionis# b! pointing to the greater cr+e t! o$ i$e, ong $orced con-ict abor /DP%* A12 On prob e#s .ith the princip e o$ e7+i-a ence* see a so "ar-er %&&>2 & Jitho+t ta3ing this into acco+nt it .o+ d be hard to +nderstand .h! the death pena t! has been dec ared +nconstit+tiona in so#e E+ropean <+risdictions* at ti#es .ith the <+sti$ication that it con$ icts .ith h+#an dignit!2 This is the case* $or e6a#p e* $or #an! <+rists in ?er#an! .ho gro+nd the %&D& e i#ination o$ the death pena t! /Artic e %)( o$ the ?er#an 8onstit+tion* or 7rundgeset8= herea$ter* G771 in h+#an dignit! /Artic e % 4The dignit! o$ h+#an beings is +nassai ab e*5 an artic e protected $ro# par ia#entar! change b! the so,ca ed 8 a+se o$ Eternit!= 77* >&2B1 or the right to i$e /77* (2(12 "ee the disc+ssion b! the ?er#an <+rist and ater ?er#an President Ro#an HerFog in Todesstrafe 9: Re!htli!h #: Verfassungsre!htli!h /HerFog %&C>* BA%012 In these cases it .o+ d hence be harder to c ai# /as Derrida does .ith regard to France* genera iFing to E+rope1 that .e #+st $ear pop+ ar ca s $or reinstate#ent* the reason being that abo ition in E+rope did not res+ t or not on ! res+ t $ro# 4reasons o$ princip e5 b+t beca+se peop e tho+ght the! did not need it an! #ore* s+ggesting that socia +phea-a s co+ d ead to its reinstate#ent /Derrida ())D* %B>12

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+nconditiona right to i$e= indeed* 4+nconditiona 5 is +sed in the se#inar #ost ! in re$erence to H+go /e2g2* DP%* D* >1* a tho+gh it is a so +sed in re$erence to a princip ed position that is 4+nconditiona 5 in tr+#ping* th+s i#iting* so-ereignt! /DP%* B* %%* as .e as > and C12 Ho.e-er* in H+gos case in partic+ ar* the 4+nconditiona it!5 o$ the right to i$e appears co#pro#ised d+e in arge part to its re igio+s* 8hristian artic+ ation2 As Naas right ! stressed* to a! bare the decided ! 8hristian artic+ ation o$ the abo itionist disco+rse is one o$ the #ain goa s o$ the se#inar /DP%* C12 This artic+ ationI and not on !* as .e .i see* d+e to its #onotheistic heritageIis beset b! the $o o.ing prob e#s: First* i3e the so-ereign* the .riter grants hi#se $ the sacred right to s+spend e6isting positi-e a. in the na#e o$ di-ine a.* a so-ereign a. /DP%* D* >12 Je th+s s ide $ro# +nconditiona it! /in this case* the +nconditiona right to i$e pitted against the po itica so-ereign1 bac3 to so-ereignt! and its se $,a+thoriFing po.er2 Perhaps* ho.e-er* this c ai# to an abso +te* +nassai , ab e* th+s so-ereign stat+s* is as +na-oidab e as the $act that so-ereignt! is enab ed b! an +nconditiona erranc! to .hich it #+st co##it itse $2 At east this is .hat one #a! s+r#ise gi-en Derridas treat#ent e se.here o$ the 4+ni-ersit! .itho+t conditions*5 .hose c ai# to the right to criticiFe so-ereign po.er Derrida characteriFes as a 4c ai# to independence* that is* to a certain -er! partic+ ar $or# o$ so-ereignt!5 /())(* ()A')>12 Je #+st th+s reca that to separate so-ereignt! and +nconditiona it! re#ains an atte#pt at separat, ing the inseparab e* as Rogues had it /Derrida ())0* %D%'D(E%&0'&A12 "econd* H+gos and* to so#e e6tent* 8a#+ss disco+rse re#ains part o$ a progressi-e 4te eo,theo og!5 in .hich abo ition is the goa o$ a histor! both #ade b! /-iri e1 #en and g+ided b! ?od as the a+thor o$ h+#an i$e /DP%* D12 Third* not on ! is the +nconditiona right to i$e i#ited to human i$e /DP%* D1* b+t i$e is a so concei-ed as the eternal propert! o$ the h+#an /DP%* 012 In Derridas .ords* 4the in$inite protest against #orta it! and against ones o.n #orta it!* especia ! against .hat is he d to be an +nnat+ra death* is the #echanis# dri-ing a disco+rses on the right to i$e and the in-io ab e propert! o$ #! i$e5 /DP%* 012 This + ti#ate ! re igio+s disco+rse $ai s to ta3e #orta it! and e6propriation into acco+nt in the right .a!2 Ho.e-er* .e a read! +nderstand that it is not eas!* and not +ni-ersa ! desirab e* to do a.a! .ith inherited re igions as the! gi-eIa beit deconstr+ctib eI e6pression to $+nctiona e6igencies* in this case the need $or i$e to preser-e and appropriate itse $ to itse $ b! 3eeping deaths a terit! at ba!2 This need #a! ta3e #an! $or#s* $ro# Heideggers 4#ineness5 o$ death to so#e con, -icted #+rderers atte#pt to contro his e6ec+tion /DP%* (1* b +rring the distinction bet.een s+icide and the death pena t! in rea it! as Kant did in ega theor! /Derrida ())D* %0)12 This .o+ d a so e6p ain .h! 8hristian

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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disco+rses on eterna i$e are pro$o+nd ! a#big+o+s: do.np a!ing death #a! ead* as in H+go* to the +nconditiona a$$ir#ation o$ an eterna i$e connected to di-ine so-ereignt! and a.* b+t it #a! a so s+pport a 4bana iFation5 o$ the death pena t! /DP%* %)1* $or it a o.s the e6ec+tioners to be ie-e that b! p+tting to death the #+rderer* the! #ere ! hand hi# o-er to ?ods <+dg, #ent2 To tac3 e this pro$o+nd a#big+it! o$ 8hristianit! as being both $or and against the death pena t!* Derrida pits NietFsche against Kant /DP%* A* >1 and ;a+de aire against H+go: 4this .ish to be done .ith ega 3i ing .o+ d testi$!* according to ;a+de aire* to the $act that I a# a .a!s ca c+ ating #! sa -a, tion5 /DP%* 012 Derrida conc +des that H+go ian abo itionis# shares too #+ch .ith a 8hristian h+#anis# that is to be deconstr+cted b! an +ncon, ditiona abo itionis#2 (2D %errida;s )4olitionism <n!onditional

An +nconditiona abo itionis# .o+ d th+s ha-e to see3 to s+ggestIand I thin3 here the #ost .or3 in e aborating Derridas Death Pena t! "e#inars re#ains to be doneIan +nconditiona princip e* or i$ not 7+ite that* then at east a princip ed position that 3eeps in #ind the $o o.ing2 First* $o+nding an +nconditiona princip e on h+#an dignit! as the indis, pensab e co+nterpoint to a. opens itse $ to the 4right,.ing phi osophe#e5 /DP%* %1 according to .hich a #+rderers 4dignit!5 is on ! proper ! 4honored*5 as Hege p+t it* i$ the a. reconstit+tes itse $ b! conde#ning hi# to death2%) "econd* the consistent abo itionis# ai#s at an +nconditiona princip e that is not i#ited to the h+#an* perhaps not e-enInot $ro# the beginning and a .a!s* as i$ be!ond 7+estioningI i#ited to the i-ing2 The reason here is not <+st that the +nconditiona abo itionis# sho+ d a so concern itse $ .ith ani#a i$e* b+t that a phi osophica stance against the death pena t! #+st interrogate the i#it bet.een i$e and death and the po.er s+pposed ! so-ereign h+#an agents ha-e in the $ace o$ this i#it* as regards both the 3no. edge o$ it and the po.er to in$ ict it2 Attenti-e readers o$ Derrida .i not be s+rprised to $ind that the se#inar* in part b! re$erring to the te6ts on Fre+d in The Post 2ard /%&C>1 and the %&>0 "e#inar 4Li$eEDeath5%% o+t o$ .hich the! e#erged
%) The +nconditiona princip e .o+ d p+t to test a tradition #+ch broader than the death pena t!* re ating in partic+ ar to the co+rage in .ar that a po itica co##+nit! #ight e6pect o$ its /-iri e1 citiFens2 I ha-e in #ind the ?ree3 and 8hristian c ai# that there is so#ething higher in h+#an i$e than its #ere ! nat+ra i$e* that this 4so#ething higher5 th+s assigns a price to i$e* as Aristot e p+t it /(i!oma!hean &thi!s I@2B %%(DbA'& LAristot e %&CDM= c$2 P ato =a-s >(>d LP ato %C&(M1* and that* .e #ight add in this conte6t* the a.* the so-ereign e6ec+tor o$ the a.* is the <+dge as to .hen this price is to be paid2 %% The %&>0 4Li$eEDeath5 se#inar* to .hich Derrida re$ers in The Post 2ard* has not !et been p+b ished2

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/DP%* A1* s+ggests that an +nconditiona abo itionis# sho+ d +nderstand i$e as 4 i$eEdeath5 /Derrida %&C>* (&(1 or .hat Derrida $re7+ent ! ca s 4s+r, -i-re*5 i$e as i-ing,on .ith death as not e6terior to it* as i$ i$e .as indeed the 4in-io ab e5 propert! o$ its bearer* b+t i$e as 4s+$$ering a tho+sand deaths5 /DP%* &12 In the $e. re#aining co##ents here* I disc+ss the conse7+ences $or abo itionis# o$ concei-ing i$e as s+r-i-a * as la 6ie la mort /Derrida %&C>* (0&12 I thin3 on ! this .i a o. +s to +nderstand the do+b e,edged conc +sion to the $irst !ear o$ the Death Pena t! "e#inars:
Let +s harbor no i +sion on this s+b<ect: e-en .hen it .i ha-e been abo ished* the death pena t! .i s+r-i-e* it .i ha-e other i-es in $ront o$ it* and other i-es to sin3 its teeth into2 ;+t s+staining no i +sion on this s+b<ect #+st not pre-ent +sIthis is co+rage and co#pos+re Lle sang>froidMI$ro# being #i itant* $ro# organiFing .ith coo heads Lde sang>froidM to #i itate* .hi e .aiting* $or .hat is ca ed the abo ition o$ the death pena t!* th+s $or i$e* $or s+r-i-a * in the price ess interest o$ i$e Lnote that there is no re$erence to Gdignit! hereM* to sa-e .hat is e$t o$ i$e2 /DP%* %%1

Derridas abo itionis# see3s to be $or i$e as s+r-i-a * and #i itant ! so* e-en .ith the a.areness o$ the need $or patien!e in .aiting $or #o-e#ents and c+rrents that it cannot contro * that #a! ta3e !ears* decades* or e-en cent+, ries2 Abo-e a * ho.e-er* in harboring no i +sions* the deconstr+cti-e abo i, tionis#* i3e a goa ,directed action and a po itica #o-e#ents c ai#ing to .or3 to.ard <+stice* #+st co+nter the de-e op#ent o$ a good !ons!ien!e abo+t itse $ and .ith regard to its goa 2 E-en i$ abo itionis# .ere to achie-e the +ni-ersa abo ition o$ the death pena t!IDerrida de$ines this as a state o$ a$$airs in .hich 4states consent to abandon so-ereignt! and to appear be$ore an internationa cri#ina co+rt that re$ers to a ega te6t conde#ning a state $or p+tting to death a s+b<ect5 /DP%* B1Ithe death pena t!* sa!s Derrida* sho+ d be +nderstood to s+r-i-e2 Ho. can this beN It is not on ! that Derrida $ears reinstate#ent in ti#es o$ great socia +phea-a s /Derrida ())D* %B>12 It is a so not <+st* tho+gh this gets a itt e c oser* that Derrida be ie-es so-ereign states .i reser-e the right to 3i percei-ed ene#ies* .hether citiFens or not* e-en i$ the! abo ish ega p+tting to death2 /;oth o$ these points #a! be seen at p a! in the near,tota e7+a, ni#it! in the $ace o$ the 92"2 e6ec+tion o$ An.ar a , A. i3i $ro# a drone p ane in Ye#en at near ! the sa#e ti#e as #i ions aro+nd the .or d are protesting the e6ec+tion o$ Tro! Da-is in "epte#ber ()%%21%( It is a so not <+st
%( One #a! a so thin3 that ega and 4e6tra,<+dicia 5 p+tting to death are .or ds apart* e-en i$ in both cases the death sentence is carried o+t in the na#e o$ a po itica ! organiFed co##+nit!* represented b! a so-ereign2 I$ .e reca that in both cases the so-ereign co+ d ha-e granted pardon* $ro# the so-ereigns point o$ -ie. the distinction .o+ d then hinge on the di$$erence bet.een a s+pposed ! 4acti-e5 order* secret in the case o$ President Oba#as death

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

A&

that Derrida $or#+ ates an +nconditiona abo itionis# that inc +des a prin, cip e o$ the right to i$e re$erencing not <+st the h+#an b+t 4the i-ing in genera 5 /Derrida %&&0b* (C&E(&B1* tho+gh the para e at the end o$ the se#inars $irst !ear bet.een abo itionis# and -egetarianis# /DP%* %%1* in ter#s that reca 4Eating Je 5 /Derrida %&&0b1* #a! see# to s+ggest this 3ind o$ concern2 Rather* there is another 3ind o$ arg+#ent* perhaps #ore phi osophica * that in$ ects the patien!e e6pected o$ this abo itionis#2 A tho+gh this arg+#ent* too* deser-es #+ch #ore scr+tin! than this initia response to the se#inar can de-ote to it* it sho+ d not be o-er oo3ed2 Approached #ost c ose ! in "ession Nine* the 3e! idea is that death is not on ! integra to i$e b+t is #ar3ed b! an +n#asterab e a terit! to .hich i$e re#ains passi-e ! e6posed* e-en as it drea#s o$ gi-ing death to itse $ or to others2 Je sho+ d hear* then* the c ai# .ith .hich the se#inar begins* as a read! disc+ssedIthe c ai# that the so-ereign decision on the e6ception* and hence on death* is a .a!s the decision o$ the other /DP%* %1Ib+t in a ne. 3e!2 Let #e cite .hat I ta3e to be the conc +sion to "ession Nine:
Jhere-er is ac3ing at east the pres+#ption o$ 3no. edge on the s+b<ect o$ this so,ca ed ob<ecti-e i#it Lbet.een i$e and deathM* this end o$ i$e /.hich Heidegger .o+ d #a3e +s be ie-e is not the dying proper to %asein1* .here-er this #astering ca c+ ation is no onger pres+#ed accessib e* possib e* in o+r po.er* .e then* one co+ d no onger either spea3 o$ #+rder* s+icide* and death pena t!* or organiFe an!thing o$ the sort .hatsoe-er in the a.* in the ega code* in the socia order* in its proced+res and its techni7+es* and so $orth2

As Derrida re$ers here repeated ! to his deconstr+ction o$ Heidegger and Le-inas in )porias /%&&B1 and in The 7ift of %eath /%&&0a1* a $+ er disc+ssion .o+ d ca $or a rereading o$ these dense te6ts2 "hort o$ that* .e #a! begin b! noting that the point is not to si#p ! e7+ate s+icide* #+rder* and the death pena t!= di$$erent c+ t+res and di$$erent histories o$ death* as )porias sa!s /Derrida %&&B* DB1 and the se#inar reca s* #a! set +p $ar, reaching distinc, tions* ho.e-er signi$icant their deconstr+ctibi it! re#ains2 "+ch deconstr+c, tions ta3e as their ob<ect the 4co##onsense5 pres+pposition o$ an ob<ecti-e* gi-en i#it bet.een i$e and death b! re$erring to a 4point o$ originarit!5 /DP%* &1 prior to these distinctions* a nonpresent point at .hich death #a! be
sentence o$ a ,A. i3i* and the #ore 4passi-e5 signing o$ a death .arrant on the part o$ a go-ernor2 Fro# the point o$ -ie. o$ the person p+t to death* it #a! see# that 4d+e process5 .o+ d #a3e a the di$$erence* tho+gh e-en this di$$erence #ight decrease i$ .e agree .ith Derrida that it is ne6t to i#possib e to pre-ent the ega process $ro# being se-ere ! co#pro, #ised b! cr+e and -enge$+ passions /DP%* &1* o$ten racist /DP%* B1* o-ert ! or co-ert !* as in the case o$ Tro! Da-is2 For another -er! s+bt e NietFschean ana !sis o$ the racis# in the <+stice s!ste# in the 9nited "tates and the instit+tion o$ the death pena t!* see 8onno ! %&&02

>)

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seen to co#e $ro# an a terit! that e6poses as +tter ! passi-e the so-ereign s+b<ect ai#ing at #aster! o$ its +ncharted #orta $+t+re2 I$ .e do not 3no. .hat death is* and its arri-a in-o -es a #o#ent o$ ine6p icab e a terit! not at the disposa o$ so-ereign s+b<ects* a decision o$ the other rather than o$ an agent* then at this point o$ originarit!* it .i be hard to disting+ish bet.een a s+b<ect gi-ing itse $ death and being gi-en death2 Jith re$erence to the atter* it .i a so be di$$ic+ t to disting+ish bet.een the others gi-ing death* the #+rderer and the e6ec+tioner2%B H+st as Derridas denia o$ the Gas s+ch o$ death in )porias /%&&B1 +nder#ines Heideggers distinction bet.een h+#an d!ing and ani#a perishing* so the a terit! o$ death p+ts into 7+estion ega ! enshrined borders bet.een s+icide* #+rder* and the death pena t!2 In a co#p e6 and #+ ti$ario+s disc+ssion* Derrida asse#b es a range o$ indicators that I thin3 see3 to re-ea this point o$ originarit! at .or3 in and aro+nd the death pena t! and its c+ t+res* indica, tors that #a! ser-e as pre#ises $or the conc +sion as to the deconstr+ctibi it! o$ these so high ! charged and e-en indispensab e distinctions a#ong s+icide* #+rder* and capita p+nish#ent2 First* at this originar! point* .e do not 3no. 4.hat5 death is and cannot pinpoint the ob<ecti-e #o#ent in ti#e that separates the i-ing $ro# death= indeed* at this point .e #a! not tr+st the se $,coincidence o$ ti#e that .o+ d a o. this ob<ecti-it!2 In the se#inar* Derrida re$ers to the #+ tip icit! o$ criteria characteriFing the #o#ent o$ death* criteria di$$ering $ro# one societ! to another as .e as $ro# one ti#e to another /DP%* &12 E-en .ithin one societ! at a gi-en ti#e* $or instance the 9nited "tates* -ario+s criteria co#pete* s+ch as brain death* the end o$ respiration* and heart stoppage2 "econd* .e a read! re$erred to Kant on the indiscernibi it! o$ s+icide and the death pena t!: e6ec+ting a #+rderer .o+ d be s+icide beca+se a #+rderer* to the e6tent that he is a digni$ied rationa agent* #+st be +nderstood as app !, ing the princip e o$ +ni-ersa iFation* and this princip e i#p ies that .hoe-er #+rders another #+rders hi#se $2 Third* this indisting+ishabi it! #a! a so be detected in so#e e#pirica cases2 Re$erring to Fre+ds theor! o$ the death dri-e /DP%* >1 and its e6tensi-e disc+ssion in The Post 2ard in connection .ith i$eEdeath* the Death Pena t! "e#inar re$ers to #+rderers .ho* in 3i ing others* .ished $or their o.n death* or a death o$ a part o$ their se -es /$or i$eEdeath #+ tip ies se $hood12 The paradig# here is the case o$ ;+$$et* $a#o+s in French abo itionist disco+rse* .hose #+rder .as said to be s+icid, a ! dri-en /ibid21 and .ho beca#e $ascinated .ith contro ing his e6ec+tion
%B 8onsider a so this passage $ro# The Politi!s of .riendship: 4Are .e s+re .e can disting+ish bet.een death /so,ca ed nat+ra death1 and 3i ing* then bet.een #+rder tout !ourt /an! cri#e against i$e* be it p+re Gani#a i$e as one sa!s* thin3ing one 3no.s .here the i-ing begins and ends1 and ho#icide* then bet.een ho#icide and genocide2 2 2 N5 /Derrida %&&>* Fore.ord* 612

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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b! the g+i otine in the ear ! %&>)s2 This gi-es rise to an arg+#ent o$ sorts against the a eged ! deterring e$$ects o$ the death pena t!* $or p+b ic e6ec+, tions #a! generate their pri-ate i#itators* 4a 3ind o$ per-ersion o$ the I#itation o$ 8hrist5 /DP%* (12 Fo+rth* the death dri-e ai#s* according to Fre+ds #eyond the Pleasure Prin!iple /%&A%1* not at an! death b+t a proper* interna death* and so is ani#ated b! the drea# o$ abso +te a+to,a$$ecti-e po.er2 Derridas reading o$ this distinction bet.een the interna and e6terna death o$ an organis# p aces it in diff0ran!e /Derrida %&C>* (C0* B0B'A%12 Hence* .e #eet here the indisting+ishabi it! o$ the $orces o$ i$e and death* and so o$ the /H+go ian1 desire $or eterna i$e and the s+icida drea# o$ gi-ing onese $ death2 As a $i$th /and $or no. $ina 1 indicator* Derrida arg+es $or the di$$ic+ ties besetting the distinction bet.een #+rder and ega p+tting to death b! sa!ing that #+rderers* too* t!pica ! gi-e #eaning to their acts b! <+sti$!ing the#* ho.e-er se $,righteo+s !* th+s appea ing to so#e +ni-ersa , iFab e a. /DP%* &12 This then #a! ret+rn +s to the so-ereign s+b<ect in its re ation to i$e and death2 To see3 to preser-e onese $ is to a$$ir# ones possession o$ agentia po.ers2 Ps!cho ogica !* this .i #ost o$ten +sher in the de-e op#ent o$ a good conscience2 Je 3no. in ad-ance* ho.e-er* that it cannot be entire ! <+sti$ied* $or the str+ct+re o$ se $hood cannot be had .itho+t cr+e t!2 Je said at the o+tset that the so-ereignt! or po.er o$ agenc! re7+ires a .e co#ing gest+re to.ard an a terit! that* ho.e-er* a so threatens it .ith its de#ise2 The #eaning o$ this a terit!* in partic+ ar at a certain point o$ originarit!* ranges $ro# the se $ as other to itse $ to other se -es* $ro# a i$e,s+staining en-iron, #ent to death2 In a$$ir#ing itse $* the se $ a$$ir#s the other that it #+st a so 3eep at ar#s ength2 The .e co#e e6tended to the other is a so a gest+re o$ appropriation and repression* $or instance o$ other se -es and other -oices in the se $2 As a res+ t o$ this con$ ict+a str+ct+re o$ se $hood* the se#inar ca+tions .ith NietFsche* Fre+d* and Lacan that cr+e t! is necessar! $or the se $ to be $or#ed* and c ai#s to noncr+e t!* $or instance b! ;eccaria or H+go* hide #ore or other $or#s o$ cr+e t! /DP%* A12 An +nconditiona abo itionis#* e-en i$ it see3s to e aborate a 4pro#ise o$ non-io ence5 in .e co#ing the other /Derrida %&&A* CB1* #a! then not pretend to be a 4re-o t o$ innocence5 /DP%* %12 I$ there is not one +nitar!* ob<ecti-e death /DP%* &1* there is not <+st one death sentence /arr?t de mort1I that is .h! the death pena t! .i s+r-i-e /DP%* %%12 This is so especia ! i$ .e +nderstand that the radica passi-it! that con$ronts s+b<ecti-it! .ith #orta it!* its o.n and that o$ the other* +nder#ines an! $aci e and co#, $orting distinction bet.een i#posing har# and re$raining $ro# assisting others2 In the se#inar* Derrida re$ers to AID" aro+nd the .or d as a case in point: its e6istence spe s 4another $or# o$ Gdeath sentence* .ith a the

>(

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7+otation #ar3s !o+ .ish*5 e-en i$ the 4cri#e5 in this case* the $ai +re to he p so#eone in danger o$ d!ing* is 4passi-e5 /DP%* >12 "i#i ar !* in The 7ift of %eath Derrida arg+es that .or d h+nger #a3es o$ #+rder 4the #ost co##on e-ent in the .or d*5 a beit an e-ent co-ered o-er b! so,ca ed ci-i iFed societies .hose 4good conscience5 o$ten inc +des the abo ition o$ capita p+nish#ent .hi e the 4#onotono+s co#p acenc! o$ its disco+rses on #ora it!* po itics* and the a.5 are +npert+rbed b! the $act that the a.s o$ the g oba iFing #ar3et these societies set +p and contro ead to another $or# o$ the death sentence* p+tting to death or IDerrida sees this as a 4#inor di$$erence5Ia o.ing to die #an! o$ h+nger and disease /Derrida %&&0a* C0'CA12 This sha3ing +pInot a si#p e eras+re b+t rather a critica * phi osophica interrogationIo$ the distinction bet.een acti-e and passi-e* bet.een the negati-e d+t! not to har# and the positi-e d+t! o$ bene$icence that .o+ d ha-e to be e aborated here* #a! be read as a contrib+tion to the debate that has gro.n aro+nd Tho#as Pogges +orld unger and uman Rights /())C1* .hich $a#o+s ! arg+es that a$$ +ent Jestern ibera de#oc, racies are har#ing the .or ds poor* $or e6a#p e thro+gh the 4reso+rce5 and 4borro.ing5 pri-i eges that a o. +nde#ocratic and o$ten corr+pt go-, ern#ents to se nat+ra reso+rces and to borro. #one! in the na#e o$ the co+ntr! and its peop e /Pogge ())C= $or the debate aro+nd negati-e and positi-e d+ties* see ?i abert ())012 In ta3ing serio+s ! these other 3inds o$ death sentence* the deconstr+cti-e death pena t! abo itionis# re#ains -igi ant .ith regard to its o.n conscience2 It ta3es its +nconditiona ren+nciation o$ so-ereignt!* its opening to the decision o$ the other* to be on ! one #o#ent o$ its non-o itiona do+b e a$$ir#ation* the other consisting in its s ipping into a so-ereignt! and s+r-i-a o$ its o.n as .e as that o$ the #odern state and the a. on .hich it depends and .hich it see3s to #odi$!2 Rea iFing the e6igenc! o$ the +nconditiona ren+nciation is not to p+t $aith in progress2 Rather* in contesting the so-er, eigns 4theo ogico,po itica 5 drea# o$ c osing itse $ to the decision o$ the other* it #a! contrib+te to the better#ent o$ the a.2 REFEREN8E"
Aristot e2 %&CD2 (i!oma!hean ethi!s2 Trans2 J2 D2 Ross2 Re-2 H2 O2 9r#son2 In The !omplete -or*s of )ristotle* -o 2 (* ed2 Honathan ;arnes2 Princeton* NH: Princeton 9ni-ersit! Press2 8onno !* Ji ia#2 %&&02 The desire to p+nish2 In The ethos of plurali8ation2 Minneapo is: 9ni-ersit! o$ Minnesota Press2 Derrida* Hac7+es2 %&C>2 The post !ard: .rom So!rates to .reud and 4eyond2 Trans2 A an ;ass2 8hicago: 9ni-ersit! o$ 8hicago Press2 III2 %&&B2 )porias: %ying@a-aiting Aone another at the Blimits of truthCD2 Trans2 Tho#as D+toit2 "tan$ord* 8A: "tan$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2

DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY

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III2 %&&0a2 The gift of death2 Trans2 Da-id Je s2 8hicago: 9ni-ersit! o$ 8hicago Press2 III2 %&&0b2 Points : : : 9nter6ie-s 1EFG11EEG2 Ed2 E isabeth Jeber2 Trans2 Pegg! Ka#+$ et a 2 "tan$ord* 8A: "tan$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2 Origina ! p+b ished as Points de suspen> sion /Paris: ?a i :e* %&&(12 III2 %&&A2 Re#ar3s on deconstr+ction and prag#atis#2 In %e!onstru!tion and pragma> tism* ed2 8hanta Mo+$$e2 Ne. Yor3: Ro+t edge2 III2 %&&>2 The politi!s of friendship2 Trans2 ?2 8o ins2 London: @erso2 Origina ! p+b ished as PolitiHues de l;amiti0 /Paris: ?a i :e* %&&D12 III2 ())(2 +ithout ali4i2 Trans2 Pegg! Ka#+$2 "tan$ord* 8A: "tan$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2 III2 ())D2 .or -hat tomorro- : : : ) dialogue2 Jith E isabeth Ro+dinesco2 Trans2 He$$ Fort2 "tan$ord* 8A: "tan$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2 III2 ())02 Rogues: T-o essays on reason2 Trans2 Pasca e,Anne ;ra+ t and Michae Naas2 "tan$ord* 8A: "tan$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2 Origina ! p+b ished as Voyous /Paris: ?a i :e* ())B12 III2 Forthco#ing2 Seminar pardon>per$ury: The death penalty A1EEE1200ID2 Trans2 Pegg! Ka#+$2 Ed2 ?eo$$re! ;ennington* Marc 8r:pon* and Tho#as D+toit2 Fre+d* "ig#+nd2 %&A%2 #eyond the pleasure prin!iple2 Trans2 Ha#es "trache!2 Ne. Yor3: J2J2 Norton2 Fritsch* Matthias2 ())C2 Antagonis# and de#ocratic citiFenship /"ch#itt* Mo+$$e* Derrida12 Resear!h in Phenomenology BC: %>D'&>2 III2 ()%%2 Deconstr+cti-e aporias: P+asi,transcendenta and nor#ati-e2 2ontinental Philosophy Re6ie- DD: DB&'AC2 ?i abert* Pab o2 ())02 The d+t! to eradicate g oba po-ert!: Positi-e or negati-eN &thi!al Theory and Moral Pra!ti!e >: 0B>'0)2 Haber#as* HQrgen2 %&C>2 The philosophi!al dis!ourse of modernity: T-el6e le!tures2 Trans2 Fred, eric3 ?2 La.rence2 8a#bridge* MA: MIT Press2 III2 ()%)2 Das KonFept der Menschen.Qrde +nd die rea istische 9topie der Men, schenrechte LThe concept o$ h+#an dignit! and the rea istic +topia o$ h+#an rightsM2 %euts!he Jeits!hrift fKr Philosophie 0C: BDB'0C2 Hege * ?2 J2 F2 %&&%2 &lements of the philosophy of right2 Ed2 A en Jood2 8a#bridge: 8a#bridge 9ni-ersit! Press2 HerFog* Ro#an2 %&C>2 Todesstrafe 9: Re!htli!h #: Verfassungsre!htli!h2 In &6angelis!hes Staatsle"> i*on* -o 2 (2 "t+ttgart: Kre+F2 HO$$e* Ot$ried2 %&&&2 @o# "tra$, +nd ;egnadig+ngsrecht2 In 9mmanuel 'ant: Metaphysis!he )nfangsgrKnde der Re!htslehre* ed2 Ot$ried HO$$e2 ;er in: A3ade#ie2 Men3e* 8hristoph2 %&&%2 %ie Sou6eranitLt der 'unst: Msthetis!he &rfahrung na!h )dorno und %errida2 Fran3$+rt: "+hr3a#p2 Naas* Michae 2 ())C2 %errida from no- on2 Ne. Yor3: Fordha# 9ni-ersit! Press2 P ato2 %C&(2 =a-s2 @o 2 0 o$ The %ialogues of Plato* trans2 ;en<a#in Ho.ett2 Brd ed2 O6$ord: O6$ord 9ni-ersit! Press2 Pogge* Tho#as2 ())C2 +orld po6erty and human rights: 2osmopolitan responsi4ilities and reforms2 8a#bridge: Po it!2

"ar-er* @ernon Tho#as* Hr2 %&&>2 Kants p+rported socia contract and the death pena t!2 Journal of Value 9nHuiry B%: D00'>(2