Subjek en etiese verantwoordelikheidsbesef Die Idee van die Oneindige in Levinas se Totality and Infinity

Subject and the realisation of ethical responsibility - The Idea of the Infinite in Levinas’ Totality and Infinity. In Totality and Infinity Emmanuel Levinas writes about the categorical character of the ethical responsibility that the subject owes to the other. The confrontation with the suffering other puts the subject’s natural self-interest into question, and brings him/her to realise an ethical responsibility of which s/he cannot unburden himself/herself. The question arises as to what in the constitution of the subject makes him/her susceptible to the realisation of ethical responsibility. This article illustrates that in order to accentuate ethical responsibility as strongly as he does, Levinas needs to take a quasi-metaphysical step. The “trace of the infinite” that “creation” has left on the finite subject, predisposes the subject to the appeal of the other. Levinas’ use of words such as “God”, “the Good”, “creation” and “the Idea of Infinity” does not have a theological or a mystical underpinning. These metaphysical concepts are philosophical figures of speech that Levinas borrows from Plato and Descartes.     

Modes d'expression en sociologie et en ethnologie

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Racism en Route

This article argues that in Africa, the nature and advent of racism has to be traced back to the earliest encounters between Africans and Europeans, including the first seven centuries but especially during the slavery and colonial eras. Religion (notably Islam and Christianity), trade, education, culture, and “science” were important incubators and justifiers of racism, in earlier as well as recent times. The paper concludes by proposing some ways in which African theology can stay agile and keep pace with the resilient and adaptive forms of racism in contemporary Africa.     

Quelques remarques subjectives sur l'objectivite en sciences et en philosophie

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Idees,Mots, Langues en Politique et en Diplomatie

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Collectivisme en Individualisme

Vroeger Hoogleeraar Te MadridNederlandsche vertaling van H. Buys.     

Interpretations en Mathematiques

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Leven en Levensverschijnselen

Ohne ZusammenfassungDe hier volgende beschouwingen zijn gedeeltelijk ontleend aan het verslag van de drie voordrachten, door mij het vorige jaar voor de Afd. Biologie van het Genootschap ter Bevordering van Natuur-. Genees- en Heelkunde te Amsterdam gehouden.     

Constateerwaarheid en Belevingswaarheid

Ohne Zusammenfassung