Jordan, T.P.; (2005) Emmanuel Levinas's early critique of Heidegger. Masters thesis , University of London.

Text U593961.pdf Download (3MB)

Abstract

This thesis is a critical commentary on key themes in Emmanuel Levinas's early works. In particular, it addresses the development of Levinas's thinking about the project of fundamental ontology initiated by Martin Heidegger. In the introduction to his first post-doctoral monograph, Existence and Existents (1947), Levinas observes that Tf ... our reflections are in large measure inspired by the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, where we find the concept of ontology and of the relationship which man sustains with Being, they are also governed by a profound need to leave the climate of that philosophy, and by the conviction that we cannot leave it for a philosophy that would be pre-Heideggerian.' This thesis contends that the central elements of Levinas's philosophical output up to Totality and Infinity represent a response to Heidegger's ontological project. It addresses the development of Levinas's thought from his doctoral thesis on Husserl (1930) and his first published essay, 'Martin Heidegger and Ontology' (1932) both of which demonstrate a fundamental sympathy for Heidegger's approach, through to his profound criticisms of Heidegger in his major work dealing with the relationship between ontology, metaphysics and ethics, Totality and Infinity (1961).

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as CSVJSONXML

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item