Precis- Henry McDonald

In this essay Derrida writes about the difficult of inserting truth into writing. As such, this idea about the slippery nature of writing bounces around in the head all the while while reading the essay, casting seeds of doubt, and causing the reader to double check the things he or she is reading for validity. It is true, writing is like a drug. It can control and distort the mind. However, it can also unlock the mind, open the mind to new ideas and perceptions. Plato was on a long time ago to the dangerous, yet tantalizing power of writing and philosophy. A part of particular interest is when Derrida deplores the act of speech-writing for another person. The person delivering the speech is being dishonest for speaking another's words as his own, yet the person writing is not being true either. For he is writing while conscious of the fact that the words are not his or her own, and may not write them as such. This point illustrates how writing can inherently be colored with dishonesty, regardless of intention.