Leiden University Student Repository

Veljanovska, Rebeka (2017)

Symmetry and Otherness: On Interaction with the Other in Camus and Levinas

Master thesis | Philosophy (MA) (120 EC)

This thesis examines the differences between Camus and Levinas on the topic of interaction with the Other, and what these differences ultimately mean for their philosophies from the focal question of ‘how can we interact with the Other?’. My claim is that the symmetry in Camus’ understanding of the relationship with the Other results in an interaction which allows for the creation of meaning between the subject and Other that Levinas does not leave room for. I first do a basic comparison of their philosophies, then detail the use of the term ‘transcendence’ in order to establish a ground upon which the comparison between them can be made, since their approaches and terminology are quite different. I then lean on Derrida to criticize Levinas’ concept of Otherness, and end by discussing how Camus evades these pitfalls by having a concept of the Other which allows for a symmetrical relationship.

Camus

Levinas

Otherness

Ethics

Author

Veljanovska, Rebeka

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Philosophy of Humanities

Supervisors

Uljee, Rozemund

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en