[UFMS Digital] Ética, Cidadania e Sociedade - Módulo 2

Summary

In this lecture, Professor Lemuel Diniz explores the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, focusing on his contributions to ethics and the concept of 'alterity' (the Other). Levinas, who survived the atrocities of World War I, emphasized the importance of the Other over the self in ethical relations. He believed that ethics should be the primary philosophical concern, and that the face of the Other signifies an infinite responsibility. The lecture also highlights key works by Levinas and recommends further reading, including a book by Paulo César Nodari and a podcast by Professor Vicente Brasil, to deepen understanding of Levinas's ethical philosophy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emmanuel Levinas was born in Lithuania in 1906 and was a Jewish philosopher who moved to France in 1930, greatly influenced by the trauma of WWI.
• 😀 Levinas’s philosophical work focuses on the ethical importance of 'the other,' challenging traditional philosophies that center on the self.
• 😀 The concept of alterity (the other) is central to Levinas’s ethics, emphasizing that our primary moral responsibility is towards others.
• 😀 Levinas’s idea of the 'face' of the other symbolizes a moral call, urging us to respond to others with ethical responsibility.
• 😀 The trauma of war deeply impacted Levinas’s philosophy, particularly his understanding of how war suspends moral relations and dehumanizes individuals.
• 😀 According to Levinas, the face is more than a physical feature; it represents an ethical demand and symbolizes a prohibition against violence, including murder.
• 😀 Levinas’s ethical theory invites a profound responsibility to care for others, rooted in the metaphysical encounter with their face.
• 😀 Levinas critiques modern philosophy for focusing too much on the self, arguing that the relationship between subjects (people) is more important.
• 😀 The idea of responsibility for the other is a central theme in Levinas’s work, which calls for a shift in ethical focus from self-centeredness to mutual responsibility.
• 😀 Recommended readings for further study include the book *Sobre Ética* by Paulo César Nodari, which explores Levinas’s work alongside Aristotle and Kant's ethical theories.
• 😀 Professor Diniz encourages watching a podcast by Professor Vicente Brasil to further understand Levinas's approach to ethics and how it applies to contemporary moral issues.

Q & A

Who is Emmanuel Levinas, and what is his background?

Emmanuel Levinas was born in Lithuania in 1906 into a practicing Jewish family. He was naturalized as French in 1930 and became a prominent professor in France. His intellectual contributions remain significant today, especially in the field of philosophy.

What personal experiences influenced Levinas's philosophical work?

Levinas's family was massacred during World War I, and he was held as a prisoner for five years. These traumatic experiences deeply shaped his thoughts on ethics and the importance of the 'other' in philosophical discourse.

What philosophical movement did Levinas specialize in?

Levinas was a specialist in German phenomenology and played a significant role in spreading the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, among others. He also translated important texts related to this philosophical movement.

What is the main contribution of Levinas to ethical philosophy?

Levinas revitalized the concept of 'alterity' or 'the other' in philosophy, emphasizing that the ethical responsibility towards the other is central to understanding human relations. He argued that the encounter with the other is the foundation of ethical action.

How did Levinas's views on ethics evolve over time?

Initially, ethics was not a central theme in Levinas's work, but over time, it became the core of his philosophy, even surpassing other philosophical considerations. By the end of his career, ethics was his primary philosophical focus.

What is the significance of the 'face' in Levinas's philosophy?

For Levinas, the face of the other is central to ethical relations. The face is a symbol of the infinite, embodying an ethical demand and calling for responsibility. It represents the prohibition of harm, especially murder, and connects to biblical ideas about God's hidden face.

Why does Levinas claim the face cannot truly be 'seen'?

Levinas argues that the face is not just a physical appearance that can be described or observed. Instead, it represents an abstract, ethical demand that goes beyond visual characteristics. It symbolizes the infinite, a presence that challenges us morally.

How does Levinas's work relate to his Jewish background?

Levinas's Jewish identity and his extensive reading of the Bible influenced his philosophical work, particularly his emphasis on ethical responsibility. His concept of the face draws from biblical ideas, such as the story of Moses not being able to see God's face.

What is Levinas's view on the relationship between the self and the other?

Levinas believes that the most important relationship is not between the self and itself, but between the self and the other. The 'other' takes precedence over the 'self' in his ethical framework, suggesting that the encounter with the other is what defines moral action.

What role does war play in Levinas's ethical philosophy?

Levinas's experience of war and its impact on his family profoundly influenced his views on ethics. He believed that war suspends morality and prevents the manifestation of the other, thus destroying the identity of both the self and the other.