Philippine E-Journals

Emmanuel Levinas on Sensitivity (or Malasakit and Pananagutan)

Ton Danenberg

 

Abstract:

This paper is an attempt to articulate the core of Levinas’ philosophy via the concept of “sensitivity” in relation/contrast to Western philosophy, in relation/contrast, that is, to ontology: the understanding of what is. The paper explores moreover some implications of Levinasean thought for the understanding of the word “God” and of what is commonly called “religion.” The paper does lastly make an attempt to make Levinas’ philosophy understandable for the Filipino via the notions of “malasakit” and “pananagutan.”