Plato and Levinas

Emmanuel Levinas's ethical philosophy centers on the encounter with the other, emphasizing responsibility as a foundational experience. Tanja Staehler explores the challenges of extending this dyadic interaction to broader contexts like community and politics. She identifies three ambiguous realms—erotic, artistic, and political—that complicate ethical considerations. By analyzing these dimensions, Staehler argues they can illuminate the vulnerability of the Other while maintaining the essential nature of clear ethical responsibility, drawing parallels with Plato's views.