Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 12:36:58 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: Query


Once we start discussing specific sections, I will begin to quote relevant
passages from Levinas.  He is certainly worth reading for his own insights,
but I also think the differend between him and Lyotard is a fascinating one.

He is best known for two major works (English translations) "Totality and
Infinity" and "Otherwise than Being".  The first is definitely worth reading
and gives his overall philosophy in the terms he first developed.  The second
is a later development of this philosophy.  (Unfortunately, I have never read
it because it is only currently available in an expensive $60+ hardcover
edition. This bugs me along with the fact that an English translation of
Lyotard's "Discours, figure" still remains unavailable.) 

However, a very good summary of Levinas' position can be found in the
excellent and provocative essay "God and Philosophy"  which can be found in
either "The Levinas Reader" or his "Collected Philosophical Papers".  I would
recommend looking at this essay first and then at "Totality and Infinity".

Levinas also has some interesting shorter essays collected in "Difficult
Freedom" and "Nine Talmudic Essays".  Many of these address themes of
religion as well as philosophy.  Levinas definitely believed and practiced a
"religion for adults" based on the ethical which stands as an interesting
counterpoint to Lyotard's paganism.

For me, one of the most provocative religious considerations that Levinas
makes is the following statement he quotes often  - "The material needs of my
neighbor become my spiritual needs."