Question
Is love wiser than philosophy, according to Levinas?
Answer
Emmanuel Levinas redefines philosophy as the “wisdom of love,” suggesting that love, in its ethical form, is wiser than traditional philosophy. This perspective emphasises ethical responsibility and prioritizes the Other over the self, challenging the conventional philosophical focus on ego and subjectivity.
Love as the Wisdom of Philosophy
Levinas reimagines philosophy not as the love of wisdom but as the wisdom of love, placing ethics at the forefront of philosophical inquiry (Aitken, 2009; Aitken and Heeding, 2010; Fagan, 2002). This shift suggests that love, understood as ethical responsibility, is a more profound guide than traditional philosophical pursuits.
Ethical Responsibility and the Other
Levinas’s philosophy centres on the ethical responsibility of the self for the Other, redefining concepts like love and desire to emphasize the prioritization of the Other’s needs and vulnerabilities over self-interest (Teimouri, 2019; Minister and Murtha, 2010). This ethical stance is seen as a form of love that transcends egoism and self-centreedness.
Integration of Jewish Thought
Levinas integrates Jewish thought into his philosophy, suggesting that the ethical wisdom found in religious traditions enriches philosophical discourse. This integration implies that love, as understood in these traditions, offers a deeper wisdom than conventional philosophical methods (Meir, 2010; Minister and Murtha, 2010).
Conclusion
Levinas posits that love, particularly in its ethical dimension, offers a deeper wisdom than traditional philosophy. By prioritizing the Other and integrating ethical responsibility into philosophical inquiry, Levinas suggests that love is indeed wiser than philosophy.
References
Teimouri, M., 2019. Love and Desire in Coetzee’s Disgrace and Waiting for the Barbarians: A Levinasian Approach. The Southeast Asian Review, 56, pp. 56-72. https://doi.org/10.22452/sare.vol56no2.6
Meir, E., 2010. Judaism and Philosophy: Each Other’s Other in Levinas. Modern Judaism, 30, pp. 348 – 362. https://doi.org/10.1093/MJ/KJQ019
Minister, S., & Murtha, J., 2010. Levinas and the Philosophy of Religion. Philosophy Compass, 5, pp. 1023-1033. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1747-9991.2010.00342.X
Aitken, A., 2009. Levinas, a voice crying out in the wilderness: heeding the call of the other. **, pp. 54-57.
Aitken, A., & Heeding, W., 2010. Undergraduate Section – Commendation. **.
Fagan, D., 2002. The Century of Useless Suffering Alain Finkielkraut Reads an Essay by Emmanuel Lévinas. Jewish Studies Quarterly, 9, pp. 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1628/0944570022715707
