Critical Thomist Deconstruction and Reconstruction

A Tract Book Essay

By

Anthony J. Fejfar, B.A., J.D., Esq., Coif

Critical Thomist philosophy can be used to deconstruct ideas or social

institutions or even technology. For the Critical Thomist deconstruction begins with the

idea that a big part of our world is the world of real meaning. Meaning shapes and even

constitutes reality as some level. Thus, it makes sense that the Critical Thomist would

be able critique or deconstruct meaning in order to determine whether that meaning

represent the Truly Worthwhile, or The Good. Recall, that The Good, is the Individual

Good which shapes the Liberal Order. The Value and Goals underlying the Individual

Good begin as follows:

1. Individual Autonomy

2. Individual Rational Self Interest

3. Individual Self Transcendece

4. Gift Giving

These Goals could of course be supplemented with the Goals of :

5 Life

6 Liberty

7 Pursuit of Happiness

With the foregoing Goals and Values as a starting point, other Goals and Values can

be added which are consistent with the foregoing and which help to structure the

deconstructive critique. Once the deconstructive critique has been engaged in, then one
must return to the Goals and Values, above, in order to objectively or authentically

subjectively ground the reconstructive process. In order for the Good to be achieved,

typically, reconstruction always follows deconstruction. This is accomplished through

the use of the Transcendental Precepts: Be Attentive, Be Intelligent, Be Reasonable, Be

Responsible, Be Loving. The Transcendental Precepts, then, could also be added as

additional Goals or Values.

1. Individual Autonomy

4. Individual Rational Self Interest

5. Individual Self Transcendence

a. Be Attentive

b. Be Intelligent

c. Be Reasonable

d. Be Responsible

e. Be Loving

f. Be Compassionate

4. Gift Giving

5 Life

8 Liberty

9 Pursuit of Happiness

The foregoing, then, shows that Critical Thomism can be used as a postmodern

deconstructionist philosophy, without the negative side effects that one finds with

Derrida.