To the Other: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas (Purdue University Series in the History of Philosophy) (Purdue Series in the History of Philosophy) [Paperback]

Adriaan Theodoor Peperzak (Author), Emmanuel Levinas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Purdue Series in the History of Philosophy | Publication Date: February 2, 2005

The fruit of the author's many courses on Emmanuel Levinas in Europe and the United States, this study is a clear introduction for graduate students and scholars who are not yet familiar with Levinas's difficult but exceptionally important oeuvre. After a first chapter on the existential background and the key issues of his thought, chapters 2, 3, and 4 concentrate on and include a short text, "Philosophy and the idea of the Infinite," which contains the program of Levinas's entire oeuvre. Chapter 5 is a companion to the reading of Levinas's first opus magnum, Totality and the Infinite. It analyzes the structure of this book and shows how its questions and answers adhere together. "Through phenomenology toward a saying beyond phenomena and essence" could be the summary of Levinas's attempt to think, with and against Martin Heidegger, the otherness of the Other. This is brought out even more clearly in his second opus magnum, Otherwise Than Being or Beyond Essence, whose significance is shown in chapter 6. A bibliography is added to facilitate further study.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Purdue University Press (February 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557530246
• ISBN-13: 978-1557530240
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important contribution to understanding a difficult thinker, December 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: To the Other: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas (Purdue University Series in the History of Philosophy) (Purdue Series in the History of Philosophy) (Paperback)

The previous reviewer seems to misunderstand this book and the series to which it belongs. The series provides classic texts with commentaries by scholars who are expert in the field. Adriaan Peperzak is certainly one of the best Levinas scholars around, and this book gives us a good introduction to, and superb commentary on, Levinas' essay, "Philosophy and the Idea of Infinity".

Having said that, it is certainly true that this book is not the place to start if you are approaching Levinas for the first time. In that case, the best place to start is the collection of Philippe Nemo's interviews with Levinas, gathered under the title "Ethics and Infinity." This is quite accessible to the educated reader. This might then be followed up with Colin Davis' genuinely introductory book on Levinas.

After some such background, then the reader should be ready to take up Peperzak's commentary here. At this stage it is very good to have a guide like Peperzak to lead you through the difficult nuances and reference points of so complex a thinker as Levinas. "Philosophy and the Idea of Infinity" is a kind of summary of Levinas' philosophy, but it is not easy going. Peperzak helps you see what you would have missed on your own.

I highly recommend this book, as well as the series as a whole. Levinas is a difficult, but very rewarding thinker--one of those who has the power to change your whole outlook on life.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful, but extremely hard to get through, July 27, 2011

By 

MartinMat - See all my reviews

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This review is from: To the Other: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas (Purdue University Series in the History of Philosophy) (Purdue Series in the History of Philosophy) (Paperback)

This book is of great importance to me - Peperzak addresses many nuances in Levinas' thought I wouldn't find myself. However there is a catch: the language used by Peperzak is quite difficult to understand and get through. I don't mean the depth of thought, metaphorical language or anything like that. It's just Peperzak's English which is quite crude and rough. I highly doubt this book had a good proof reading it really deserves. Maybe it's just me, since I'm not English native speaker, but if you're feeling you English skills are not good, you may be disappointed after buying this book.

P.S. My critique refers mainly to chapter "A Key to Totality and Infinity".