Description
Book SynopsisAlthough the continental philosophers JYrgen Habermas and Emmanuel Levinas are both inescapably important to an array of debates in contemporary moral theory, they are rarely assessed in relation to each other. Not only are their basic agendas differentwhereas Habermas''s discourse ethics are framed within a general concern for democratic political theory, Levinas''s work is largely indifferent, if not hostile, to political concernsbut their philosophical styles dramatically contrast as well. Steven Hendley''s study is based on the conviction that beneath the surface there is in fact a remarkable degree of convergence in the two philosophers'' work that is usually overlooked. Hendley discovers and explains the complementarity of Levinas''s conception of discourse as relation to the Other to Habermas''s theory of communication as the basis for recognition of universal moral norms; and he presents a clear defense and validation of Levinas''s position on the construction of political theo
Trade Review[This book] establishes the need for any political theory to come to terms with Levinas's theory of discourse as relation to the Other. On the American scene, that is a definite contribution to contemporary philosophy. -- Garth Gillan, Southern Illinois University
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Conversational Deference and Communicative Action Chapter 2 Care, Justice, and the Face of the Other Chapter 3 The Metaphysical Ground of Moral Authority Chapter 4 The Liberties of the Ancients and Moderns Chapter 5 The Moral Relevance of Judaism to Modernity Chapter 6 The Epistemic Viability of the Appeal to the Face of the Other
