Ontology and Ethics: Reflections on Levinas' Critique of Heidegger

  • Bouckaert L
ISSN: 00190365
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Abstract

The main source of levinas' critique of heidegger is the fact that the german philosopher makes the ethics (the relation to the other) subservient to ontology. Therefore heidegger does not succeed in overcoming western ontology but rather realizes the basic features of western ontology in a new way: priority of autonomy over heteronomy, Priority of truth over justice and priority of totality over the existent. Only in the ethical imputation of responsibility for the other is this priority given up since the absolute demand of justice, Which makes the subject responsible, Touches the self before thinking can take initiative. This ethic experience, Which refers to a relation with the absolute exteriority and proximity of the other, Both questions and founds the ontological way of thinking. Hence the occurrence of being as the history of truth must be founded on the ethics happening as responsibility for the other, And not the other way around.

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Bouckaert, L. (1970). Ontology and Ethics: Reflections on Levinas’ Critique of Heidegger. International Philosophical Quarterly, 10(3), 402–419.

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