The Political Thinking of Emmanuel Lévinas: A reading of Totality and Infinity

Abstract

This article explores the political implications of Emmanuel Lévinas thinking (1906-1995), based on a reading of his book Totality and Infinity. It is observed that any political implication and thought in Lévinas work counts with an ethical basis, that, in turn, is configured based on the idea of Infinite and the metaphysical Desire of the Other that gives rise to. The thinking of this philosopher of Lithuanian origin invites us to recover humanity and, in consequence, to not allow that inhumanity takes hold of our interactions, starting from a subjectivity capable of taking care of the Other in an ethical way. This requires searching for concrete strategies for establishing, in everyday life, political relations of hospitality and respect for plurality. Starting from an anthropology of fragility, there is no other way than putting in common our fragilities and, in doing so, ensure to create a world habitable among-all.