Levinas (Architects of Ideas - 29)

Emmanuel Levinas, who elevated ethics from being a branch of philosophy to the first level of philosophy, is one of the most prominent figures of contemporary French philosophy. Levinas, who is referred to as the 'philosopher of ethics' as well as the 'philosopher of the other', criticizes an entire tradition of Western philosophy that he sees as the 'sovereignty of the Same', based on a philosophical approach that centers on respect for the Other or alterity.

The other or the other is precisely someone who 'exceeds my idea of him/her'. It escapes knowledge and understanding, does not reveal itself and always remains a mystery: the other is an enigma, not a phenomenon. According to the philosopher, the relationship with the other or alterity, which occurs only in ethics, constitutes the 'ultimate source of meaning' and therefore the 'only possibility of transcendence'.

The book in your hands, published in the 'Architects of Ideas' series, is a selection of texts by Emmanuel Levinas. However, in addition to the philosopher's own texts, some articles written on his thought were also included in the current compilation. In the selection of texts by the philosopher, priority was given to those that would reflect his ethics-centered philosophical discourse. The selection also includes texts containing the philosopher's political and religious views, with the aim of drawing attention, at least partially, to the cultural and religious sources that determine his philosophical thinking.

As a result, in Levinas, everything gains its foundation and ultimate meaning in and from ethics; Levinas' philosophy is a first philosophy in this sense.
Özkan Gözel



Number of Pages: 528

Year of Printing: 2012


Language: Turkish
Publisher: Say Publications

First Print Year: 2012

Language Turkish