Always already
Encyclopedia
Always already is an adverb
, sometimes written “always-already”, common in literary discourse
.
, in the argument that "human action can be narrated...because it is always already symbolically mediated" (by signs, rules, and norms).
Another central idea behind the phrase “always already” is that once a certain place in time is achieved, the being of places in time earlier than that place is ‘transient’, problematic, or unthinkable. For example, after a person finishes reading Hamlet
for the first time, we may say that they have “always already” read Hamlet, and that the time before the person had read Hamlet
, being now past, was or is ‘always’ past. Common extensions of this phrase might follow from this example: in our modern society, we might say that having always already read Hamlet is the nature of contemporary intellect. Another way in which this phrase might lend a powerful dimension to thinking would be the notion that the modern subject] properly conceived, “always already” has learned a language, it being, in a certain sense, inconceivable to consider the pre-linguistic
subject.
"Always already" is important in Heidegger's idea that Dasein
anticipates or is "ahead of itself," and also in the primacy of language
. Heidegger’s terms, ideas, and constructions are central to deconstruction, more so than is Marxism
. With the added decline of Marxist critical theory
after the 1960s, the phrase is still engaged with frequently in the discourse of literary theory
, hermeneutics, and deconstruction
/post-structuralism
into which continental philosophy
begins to devolve after Heidegger, for example in Derrida.
, it was notably popularized yet again, by Heidegger. Marx's use was preceded, however, by Kant
in his Critique of Pure Reason
' [A346=B404], and perhaps even before that.
The term was also central to much of the work of Maurice Blanchot
(1907–2003) who criticized Heidegger's analysis of anticipation in Hölderlin's poetry, and who drew on the work of Stéphane Mallarmé
. Blanchot subsequently influenced Jacques Derrida
.
Adverb
An adverb is a part of speech that modifies verbs or any part of speech other than a noun . Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives , clauses, sentences, and other adverbs....
, sometimes written “always-already”, common in literary discourse
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
.
Meaning
In a typical instance, "always already" appeared in the narrative theory of Paul RicoeurPaul Ricoeur
Paul Ricœur was a French philosopher best known for combining phenomenological description with hermeneutic interpretation...
, in the argument that "human action can be narrated...because it is always already symbolically mediated" (by signs, rules, and norms).
Another central idea behind the phrase “always already” is that once a certain place in time is achieved, the being of places in time earlier than that place is ‘transient’, problematic, or unthinkable. For example, after a person finishes reading Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
for the first time, we may say that they have “always already” read Hamlet, and that the time before the person had read Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, being now past, was or is ‘always’ past. Common extensions of this phrase might follow from this example: in our modern society, we might say that having always already read Hamlet is the nature of contemporary intellect. Another way in which this phrase might lend a powerful dimension to thinking would be the notion that the modern subject] properly conceived, “always already” has learned a language, it being, in a certain sense, inconceivable to consider the pre-linguistic
Origin of language
The origin of language is the emergence of language in the human species. This is a highly controversial topic. Empirical evidence is so limited that many regard it as unsuitable for serious scholars. In 1866, the Linguistic Society of Paris went so far as to ban debates on the subject...
subject.
"Always already" is important in Heidegger's idea that Dasein
Dasein
Dasein is a German word famously used by Martin Heidegger in his magnum opus Being and Time, which generally translates to being in its ontological and philosophical sense Dasein is a German word famously used by Martin Heidegger in his magnum opus Being and Time, which generally translates to...
anticipates or is "ahead of itself," and also in the primacy of language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
. Heidegger’s terms, ideas, and constructions are central to deconstruction, more so than is Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
. With the added decline of Marxist critical theory
Critical theory
Critical theory is an examination and critique of society and culture, drawing from knowledge across the social sciences and humanities. The term has two different meanings with different origins and histories: one originating in sociology and the other in literary criticism...
after the 1960s, the phrase is still engaged with frequently in the discourse of literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
, hermeneutics, and deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a term introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1967 book Of Grammatology. Although he carefully avoided defining the term directly, he sought to apply Martin Heidegger's concept of Destruktion or Abbau, to textual reading...
/post-structuralism
Post-structuralism
Post-structuralism is a label formulated by American academics to denote the heterogeneous works of a series of French intellectuals who came to international prominence in the 1960s and '70s...
into which continental philosophy
Continental philosophy
Continental philosophy, in contemporary usage, refers to a set of traditions of 19th and 20th century philosophy from mainland Europe. This sense of the term originated among English-speaking philosophers in the second half of the 20th century, who used it to refer to a range of thinkers and...
begins to devolve after Heidegger, for example in Derrida.
Historical Use
Though famously appropriated by Marx with regard to the presence of capitalCapital (economics)
In economics, capital, capital goods, or real capital refers to already-produced durable goods used in production of goods or services. The capital goods are not significantly consumed, though they may depreciate in the production process...
, it was notably popularized yet again, by Heidegger. Marx's use was preceded, however, by Kant
KANT
KANT is a computer algebra system for mathematicians interested in algebraic number theory, performing sophisticated computations in algebraic number fields, in global function fields, and in local fields. KASH is the associated command line interface...
in his Critique of Pure Reason
Critique of Pure Reason
The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant, first published in 1781, second edition 1787, is considered one of the most influential works in the history of philosophy. Also referred to as Kant's "first critique," it was followed by the Critique of Practical Reason and the Critique of Judgement...
' [A346=B404], and perhaps even before that.
The term was also central to much of the work of Maurice Blanchot
Maurice Blanchot
Maurice Blanchot was a French writer, philosopher, and literary theorist. His work had a strong influence on post-structuralist philosophers such as Jacques Derrida.-Works:...
(1907–2003) who criticized Heidegger's analysis of anticipation in Hölderlin's poetry, and who drew on the work of Stéphane Mallarmé
Stéphane Mallarmé
Stéphane Mallarmé , whose real name was Étienne Mallarmé, was a French poet and critic. He was a major French symbolist poet, and his work anticipated and inspired several revolutionary artistic schools of the early 20th century, such as Dadaism, Surrealism, and Futurism.-Biography:Stéphane...
. Blanchot subsequently influenced Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida was a French philosopher, born in French Algeria. He developed the critical theory known as deconstruction and his work has been labeled as post-structuralism and associated with postmodern philosophy...
.