The Other and Otherness: An Intro to Emmanuel Levinas

Introduction to Emmanuel Levinas' Philosophy

In this section, the speaker introduces Emmanuel Levinas, a French Jewish philosopher who lived in the post-holocaust world. The speaker explains that Levinas' work is dense and requires a background in ontology, phenomenology, and metaphysics.

Background on Emmanuel Levinas

• Levinas was born in Lithuania in 1906 and raised in a traditional Jewish home.

• He attended universities in France and Germany and became a French citizen in 1930.

• During World War II, he fought with the French Resistance against the Nazis and was captured.

• After the war, he settled in Paris and became a professor of philosophy at Sorbonne.

• Levinas disliked that most Western or European philosophies took the self as the starting point of all understanding.

Levinas' Critique of Western Philosophy

• Most Western philosophies take the self as the starting point of all understanding which leads to thinking of other people as if they were reflections of oneself or something to be known.

• This relationship to others leads to trying to dominate them because they are different which ultimately leads to great suffering including war colonialism slavery abuse and other social ills.

• Religious traditions like Judaism Christianity and Islam teach us not to be selfish but rather connect with have compassion for and love others even when they are not like us.

Thinking about Encounters with Others

• Levina suggested that we think of our encounters with others in terms of Revelation.

The Importance of Acknowledging the Other

In this section, the speaker discusses how encounters with others shape our sense of self and culture. The face of the other is crucial in reminding us that we are not the center of the universe and that there is something beyond our sense of self.

Development of Self through Encounters with Others

• Levy points out that encounters with others are necessary for developing a sense of self.

• The first encounter all people have is with their mother and members of their family.

Importance of the Face of the Other

• The face of the other reminds us that we are not the center of the universe and forces us to recognize something beyond ourselves.

• This recognition gives others not only the right to exist but also invites ethical treatment towards them, including love.

• The Good Samaritan story illustrates this point by showing how a distinct other was moved by compassion to act ethically towards someone from a different group.

Understanding Otherness

In this section, Levena discusses how language is used to describe and analyze conflict or ways in which societies seek to control and dominate others. She also talks about different types of diversity or what philosophers call "otherness."

Types of Diversity

• Levena refers to different types of diversity as "otherness."

• These include immigrants, other races and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, etc.

• Understanding these types plays into media studies' crucial component in teaching and reinforcing ideas, attitudes, and values about others.

Portrayal in Media Studies

• Paying attention to how media portrays "the other" can make us more mindful about social justice issues in our world.

Weekend Wishes

In this short clip, someone is wishing the listener a great weekend and Monday.

Wishing a Great Weekend

• The speaker wishes the listener a great weekend and Monday.