Toward the Outside: Concepts and Themes in Emmanuel Levinas

Having translated a number of contemporary French philosopher Levinas' works, Smith (French and philosophy, Berry College) here argues that his overall philosophy is a metaphysics structured and sustained by a movement from the self or same toward the outside or other. He follows the centrifugal movement throughout his works, explores its presuppositions and implications, surveys the critique it has both given and received regarding other philosophies, and looks at avenues it opens for further research and reflection. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)