"Discursive complex" is not a widely recognized or formally defined term within established academic disciplines or general encyclopedic knowledge. It appears to be a descriptive phrase rather than a distinct theoretical concept with a specific, agreed-upon definition and theoretical framework.
Possible Etymological Interpretation and Component Analysis: The phrase combines two well-defined words:
- Discursive: Derived from the Latin discursus (running to and fro, discourse). In contemporary usage, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, "discursive" often refers to systems of thought, communication, and power that shape understanding, knowledge, and social practices. A discourse is more than just language; it encompasses the ways in which knowledge is produced, circulated, and applied within specific social contexts.
- Complex: Derived from the Latin complexus (entwined, embraced). It denotes a group of related things, a complicated or intricate whole, or a system of interconnected parts.
Plausible Contextual Usage: Given its component parts, "discursive complex" could be used by an author to refer to a specific, intricate, and interconnected set of discourses that operate within a particular domain or historical period. It might describe the overlapping, reinforcing, or even contradictory narratives, theories, ideologies, and rhetorical strategies that collectively constitute understanding or debate around a given subject. For example, one might refer to the "discursive complex" surrounding a particular social issue to encompass scientific reports, political rhetoric, media representations, cultural narratives, and personal testimonies that shape public perception and policy.
While not a formal concept, it shares conceptual territory with established ideas in critical theory and the sociology of knowledge, such as Michel Foucault's "discursive formations" or "epistemes," which describe the historical and social conditions that enable certain forms of knowledge and discourse to emerge. However, "discursive complex" lacks the specific theoretical underpinnings and methodological implications associated with such formally theorized concepts.