Brian Treanor
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780823226849
- eISBN:
- 9780823235100
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Fordham University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5422/fso/9780823226849.003.0007
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The divergence that existed between Gabriel Marcel and Emmanuel Levinas continues to fuel a lively philosophical debate, and the jury is still out with respect to the question ...
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The divergence that existed between Gabriel Marcel and Emmanuel Levinas continues to fuel a lively philosophical debate, and the jury is still out with respect to the question of the otherness of the other. This chapter discusses several key points. First, after briefly reiterating some of what is at stake in the question of the otherness of the other, it offers two possible reconciliations of the conflict between absolute and relative characterizations of otherness: one from the perspective of Levinas, another from the perspective of Marcel. Second, the chapter traces the development of these two accounts of otherness—absolute and relative—from their reemergence in Levinas and Marcel to their contemporary manifestations, in order to illustrate the enduring challenge posed by this problem and the contributions of Levinas and Marcel to its current expression. One possible resolution of the differences between Levinas and Marcel—that is, between absolute otherness and relative otherness—would focus on the distinction between transcendental philosophy and empirical philosophy.Less
The divergence that existed between Gabriel Marcel and Emmanuel Levinas continues to fuel a lively philosophical debate, and the jury is still out with respect to the question of the otherness of the other. This chapter discusses several key points. First, after briefly reiterating some of what is at stake in the question of the otherness of the other, it offers two possible reconciliations of the conflict between absolute and relative characterizations of otherness: one from the perspective of Levinas, another from the perspective of Marcel. Second, the chapter traces the development of these two accounts of otherness—absolute and relative—from their reemergence in Levinas and Marcel to their contemporary manifestations, in order to illustrate the enduring challenge posed by this problem and the contributions of Levinas and Marcel to its current expression. One possible resolution of the differences between Levinas and Marcel—that is, between absolute otherness and relative otherness—would focus on the distinction between transcendental philosophy and empirical philosophy.
Brian Treanor
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- March 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780823226849
- eISBN:
- 9780823235100
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Fordham University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5422/fso/9780823226849.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
“Every other is truly other, but no other is wholly other”. This is the claim that this book defends. Taking up the question of otherness that so fascinates contemporary continental ...
More
“Every other is truly other, but no other is wholly other”. This is the claim that this book defends. Taking up the question of otherness that so fascinates contemporary continental philosophy, this book asks what it means for something or someone to be other than the self. Emmanuel Levinas and those influenced by him point out that the philosophical tradition of the West has generally favored the self at the expense of the other. In response, postmodern thought insists on the absolute otherness of the other, epitomized by the deconstructive claim “every other is wholly other”. But absolute otherness generates problems and aporias of its own. This has led some thinkers to reevaluate the notion of relative otherness in light of the postmodern critique, arguing for a chiastic account that does justice to both the alterity and the similitude of the other. These latter two positions—absolute otherness and a rehabilitated account of relative otherness—are the main contenders in the contemporary debate. This book traces the transmission and development of these two conceptions of otherness by examining the philosophies of Emmanuel Levinas and Gabriel Marcel. Levinas's version of otherness can be seen in the work of Jacques Derrida and John D. Caputo, while Marcel's understanding of otherness influences the work of Paul Ricoeur and Richard Kearney. Ultimately, this book makes a case for a hermeneutic account of otherness. Otherness itself is not absolute, but is a chiasm of alterity and similitude.Less
“Every other is truly other, but no other is wholly other”. This is the claim that this book defends. Taking up the question of otherness that so fascinates contemporary continental philosophy, this book asks what it means for something or someone to be other than the self. Emmanuel Levinas and those influenced by him point out that the philosophical tradition of the West has generally favored the self at the expense of the other. In response, postmodern thought insists on the absolute otherness of the other, epitomized by the deconstructive claim “every other is wholly other”. But absolute otherness generates problems and aporias of its own. This has led some thinkers to reevaluate the notion of relative otherness in light of the postmodern critique, arguing for a chiastic account that does justice to both the alterity and the similitude of the other. These latter two positions—absolute otherness and a rehabilitated account of relative otherness—are the main contenders in the contemporary debate. This book traces the transmission and development of these two conceptions of otherness by examining the philosophies of Emmanuel Levinas and Gabriel Marcel. Levinas's version of otherness can be seen in the work of Jacques Derrida and John D. Caputo, while Marcel's understanding of otherness influences the work of Paul Ricoeur and Richard Kearney. Ultimately, this book makes a case for a hermeneutic account of otherness. Otherness itself is not absolute, but is a chiasm of alterity and similitude.
