Open AccessUnderstanding Gift: From Mauss to Derrida
Author(s) -
Sudeepta Ghose
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
asian review of social sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2249-6319
DOI - 10.51983/arss-2019.8.2.1597
Subject(s) - character (mathematics) , subject (documents) , epistemology , philosophy , gift giving , perception , sociology , computer science , mathematics , law , political science , geometry , conflict of interest , library science
This paper probes into the practice of gift-giving and tries to find out the true character of gift. The paper begins with the common perception about gifts and proceeds to present an insightful analysis of Marcel Mauss’ understanding of gift. It then delves into Jacques Derrida’s take on the subject. The paper brings out the moments of convergences and divergences in thoughts of Mauss and Derrida before drawing up some conclusions about the nature of gift and its differences with other forms of exchange.