The Cambridge Introduction to Emmanuel Levinas

An introductory overview of the thought of Emmanuel Levinas, one of the most significant philosophers of the late twentieth century. Focusing on Levinas' central principle that human existence is ethically grounded in our face-to-face relationships, Morgan explores the religious, cultural and political implications of this insight for modern Western culture.

This book provides a clear and helpful overview of the thought of Emmanuel Levinas, one of the most significant and interesting philosophers of the late twentieth century. Michael L. Morgan presents an overall interpretation of Levinas'' central principle that human existence is fundamentally ethical and that its ethical character is grounded in our face-to-face relationships. He explores the religious, cultural and political implications of this insight for modern Western culture and how it relates to our conception of selfhood and what it is to be a person, our understanding of the ground of moral values, our experience of time and the meaning of history, and our experience of religious concepts and discourse. Includes an annotated list of recommended readings and a selected bibliography of books by and about Levinas. An excellent introduction to Levinas for readers unfamiliar with his work and even for those without a background in philosophy.