The Problem Of “Otherness And Sameness” In Emmanuel Levınas Phılosophy

In this paper, primarily, problems of otherness and sameness are tired to be clarified with reference to the concept of Self which has a quite significant place in Levinas since, as opposed to Western Philosophy, the basis of Levinas philosophy refers to ethical relationship rather than ontology. Due to the fact that this ethical relationship will also be the ground for the relationship between Self and otherness, when we start off from ontology, Self and Other become assimilated. Therefore, breaking ties with tradition can only be realized at the level of language, and the basis of Levinas philosophy also rests on the level of ethical language practiced with Other. Furthermore, since ethics also brings the notion of responsibility in its wake, the notion responsibilty remains as the focal point. Since the responsibilty relationship between Self and Other is unconditional, limitless and unidirectional, to find out the source of this relationship is not possible due to the fact that this relationship contains Eternal in itself. Thus, diachrony breaking of its identity with Self refers to eternalization of responsibility.