Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 20:38:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: The scandal of obligation


Dear Ariosto,

In reference to your discussion of Bataille on sovereignity in connection to
Lyotard, what do you make of section #202 in "The Differend"  where Lyotard
seems very critical of Bataille's approach?  It might be helpful if you could
address the differend that exists between them.  How do you read these
comments on Bataille?

Where is the essay or book where Lyotard discusses Cezanne?  This would be
very interesting to read.

With regard to your comments on Levinas, this might be a good topic to return
to later, when we discuss in more detail the Levinas Notice.  I'm not sure,
however, that Levinas is totally free from violence in connection with the
scandal of obligation.  It seems that by focusing on the Other in terms of
alterity rather than empathy,  the Other is always an intrusion and
disruption of our Hegelian Being For-Itself.  Even though Narcissus covers
his ears, he cannot silence Echo's voice.  The suffering of the Other
disturbs our tranquility.