ABSTRACT
After a new reading of Rousseau for India, and relating him to the foundation of a new social institution, namely, the old age home, this chapter makes a further move to discuss another influential philosopher from the West to India, that is, Derrida. In this context, the chapter expands the stature of India by grouping it with Socrates. Introducing a distinction between two forms of the word, word as spoken and as written, the chapter identifies how Derrida’s logocentrism is dependent on the written. Taking a clue from his text, an attempt is made to show how his canvas consists of Plato (who wrote and is the first metaphysician) and Nietzsche (who was the last Platonist). Following Rousseau’s characterising of the Oriental as speaking people, the chapter stretches the territory of the speaking people by bringing in Socrates, who speaks and who never wrote, along with Indians who allegedly also seem to be speaking, according to Rousseau. The difference between speaking and writing can be an important implication to the social sciences; for instance, to undertake different ways of understanding oral cultures and societies and written ones.
