square brackets references to his published works and occasional foot-
notes that explain certain points. I have also made minor stylistic alter-
ations here and there to give the sentences a better flow. Professor
Derrida has graciously looked over the transcript and has himself made
only minor changes.

In the second half of the present volume, I have added the danger-
ous supplement of a commentary, in order to elaborate upon the nec-
essarily abbreviated discussions imposed by the "Roundtable" format,
in which Derrida's suggestive but condensed observations are explored
in greater detail.

* * *

JOHN D. CAPUTO: Professor Derrida, I would like to begin today's dis-
cussion by raising the issue of what we are in fact doing here and
now, at this moment, which is inaugurating a doctoral program in
philosophy. This is a rich and suggestive "event," and it evokes many
themes that you have been addressing over the years in your work.

Many people, whose impression of deconstruction has been drawn
from the public media, might find this an odd thing for you to be
doing. They associate deconstruction with the "end of philosophy,"
while we are here beginning a new program in philosophy. They iden-
tify deconstruction with a destructive attitude toward texts and tradi-
tions and truth, toward the most honorable names in the philosophical
heritage. They think that deconstruction is the enemy of academic
programs and academic institutions, that it is anti-institutional and
cannot accommodate itself to institutional life.

Finally, you have often spoken about the very notion of "inaugura-
tion" as the irruption of something "absolutely new," and today we are
trying to inaugurate, to irrupt. We would be interested in knowing
what your reflections are on this inaugural moment.

JACQUES DERRIDA: First of all, I want to apologize for my English. I
must improvise here, and that will be a very difficult task for me. I
would like to thank the President and the Dean for their kind words
and for their hospitality, and to thank all of you for being present here.
It is an honor for me to be part of this exceptional moment in the
history of your university, and I am very proud of sharing this experi-

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