The Paradox of Power and Weakness (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) [Paperback]

George Kunz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0791438902 | ISBN-13: 978-0791438909 | Publication Date: July 16, 1998

The metaethical philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas challenges Western egocentrism by describing the self as egoic yet nevertheless ethically called to transcend its own obsessions, compulsions, and addictions, and to respect and serve others. While power is powerful and weakness is weak, power can sabotage itself, and the weakness of others has power to command our attention and service. Levinas makes distinctions that offer psychology the basis for an alternative paradigm open to paradox. In The Paradox of Power and Weakness, George Kunz shows how the analyses of hagiography, cynicism, and limits on altruistic behavior by radical altruism contribute to this psychology of ethical responsibility for social sciences.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Kunz is Associate Professor of Psychology at Seattle University. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: SUNY Press (July 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791438902
• ISBN-13: 978-0791438909
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,686,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kunz uses Levinas to radically open up the way we live., October 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Paradox of Power and Weakness: Levinas and an Alternative Paradigm for Psychology (S U N Y Series, Alternatives in Psychology) (Hardcover)

Kunz's book is a wonderful read without losing the thickness of Levinas's ideas. It answered the question I've struggled with for years, if you're happy and complete, why act? He makes a clear case for moving the center of existance off the ego and onto the other. We act because need in the face of the other calls us to act. In the face of that need we have no choice but to act, even if that act is to turn coldly from those in need.

He argues for a new psychology based not on the ego as the center of the world, but on the need of the other as the center of the world.

This book radically opened up my way of being with the ideas of Levinas, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a word: Superb, January 14, 2005

By 

Reaper - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paradox of Power and Weakness (Suny Series, Alternatives in Psychology) (Paperback)

As both a clinical psychologist and an individual deeply interested in those attributes that make us truly human, I have to say that this book is one of the best I have read in many years. Dr. Kunz offers not only an easy to understand synthesis of what is arguably the most important work by Levinas, but cogently argues that psychology could benefit greatly by incorporating his ideas. I thoroughly loved the book and very highly recommend it.