The Concept Of Binary Opposition

By:Nigah Shah

Contents:

1. Definition2. History3. Concept of binaries in Islam4. Theory of binary opposition in western thought5. In Relation to Logo centrism6. Binary Opposition In literature7. Conclusion

Definition:

▫ A binary opposition (also binary system) is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning.

e.g. Positive/ negative Male/ female Hero/ villain Handsome/ ugly Good/ bad

History:

•  Originated in Saussurean structuralist theory;  The binary opposition is the means by which the units

of language have value or meaning. Each unit is defined in reciprocal determination with

another term  It is not a contradictory relation but, a structural,

complementary one.

• Sign's meaning is derived from its context▫ Example of it is;

one cannot conceive of 'good' if we do not understand 'evil'.

History (Cont..):

•  In post-structuralism;▫ One of the two opposites assumes a role of dominance over the other.

•  Pieter Fourie discovers that binary oppositions have a deeper or second level of binaries that help to reinforce meaning▫ An example; the concepts of hero and villain

    good/bad handsome/ugly, liked/disliked,

Concept of binaries in Islam:

• Originated from the very first day the world was created▫ Creation of Adam (A.A.S) and Bint-e-Hawa▫ Angle and devil▫ Concept of Heaven and Hell▫ Obedience and Disobedience

Concept of binaries in Islam (cont…):

. Other good examples of binaries in Islam;▫ Halal and Haram▫ Reward and Punishment▫ Existence and non-existence ▫ Birth and death▫ Followers and non-followers

Theory of binaries in Western thought:

• Most of the west including the post structuralism think that;

▫ In binary oppositions there is absence and presence concept.▫ Distinguishing between presence and absence, viewed as polar

opposites

•  According to post- structuralism criticisms

▫ Presence occupies a position of dominance in Western thought over absence.

Theory of binaries in Western thought (cont..):

• According to Nasser Maleki;▫ People value one part of a binary opposition over another▫  For example;

People give superiority to life rather than death.

• According to Jacques Derrida;▫  Meaning in the West is defined in terms of binary oppositions, “a

violent hierarchy” where “one of the two terms governs the other.” Example; Within the white/ black binary opposition in the

United States.

Theory of binaries in Western thought (cont..):

• Claude Strauss :▫ Anthropologist who originated in France in the early 1900’s.

Meaning of a word is from our understanding of its opposite.

• Example;A protagonist and antagonist or Heroine and villain.

• Examples;▫ Binary opposites are very frequently used in films, especially in

the horror genre. Understanding of “Villain” is

by the work of “Hero”.

In Relation to Logo centrism:

• Logocentrism: (is an idea related to Binary Opposition)

• That says certain audiences will favour one part of a binary opposition pair over the other.

• This favoritism is often most strongly influenced by a readers' cultural background.

Logocentrism Example• 'The Women and the Pot', an Amharic folktale.

Story of two woman Diminished role in the society They Asked king for help Message of the king ? Moral

Binary Opposition In literature:

• The problems with a system of binary opposites;▫ Boundaries between groups of people

▫ Leads to prejudice and discrimination White/ Black

• In literature;

▫ Authors use to explore differences between groups of individuals, such as cultural, class or gender differences.

▫ What can result from those perceived differences?

Use of Binaries in literature:

• Example 1;(J. K. Rowling’s novel )▫ Harry Potter:

There are two major groups: The magical community and

non-magical community. The muggle- born and half-bloods The evil wizard Lord Voldemort The use of dark magic

Example (cont…);

• Through this novel J.K. Rowling;▫ Shows the dangers of creating such

categorizations within society.

• Consider this image of a poster;▫ 'Only one can survive,' reinforcing

the idea of binary opposition .

Conclusion:

• Two word related in terms of opposites are binary oppositions

• Structuralism says a word is defined of the basis of its opposite word.

• Post-structuralism in addition says one of the two words has a dominant position over the other, e.g. ‘on’ over ‘off’.

• Concept of binaries in Islam is begin from the very first day and everything defined on the basics of binaries, e.g. halal and haram.

Conclusion (cont…):

• Logo centrism says people prefer anyone part from the opposite terms.

• In literature authors haves tried to explain the outcomes of binary opposition in the society.

• What we conclude is;▫Binary oppositions are the backbone of any language,

culture and philosophy.