Author(s): Jacques Derrida

Society & Culture

A few weeks before his death, Derrida said: 'I am at war with myself, it's true, you couldn't possibly know to what extent ...I know that it is what keeps me alive, and makes me ask precisely ..."how does one learn to live?"'With death looming, Jacques Derrida, one of the most famous philosophers of the 20th century - known as the father of 'deconstruction' - sat down with Le Monde journalist Jean Birnbaum. They revisited his life's work and his impending death in a lyrical and moving final interview.In this meditation upon life, love and politics, Derrida reveals what has motivated his writing. He speaks openly about the impact of being Jewish and an outsider in French society. He discusses the relationship between philosophy and society and explains his hopes for a revitalised international politics. Derrida was the last of a generation of French philosophers who reshaped the humanities and philosophy itself. This interview is a touching final look at his long and distinguished career.'Living like dying is not something one can learn. All one can really do is see it coming. Together.' First published in French 2005; this translation 2007.