THE PARADOX OF THE INTRANSITIVITY OF ETHICS IN EMMANUEL LEVINAS' PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

This article aims to present the constitution of the paradox of the intransitivity of ethics contained in Levinasian philosophy. The paradox is described based on the notions of ethics and justice contained in the works: Totality and Infinite and Another Other than Being: Beyond Essence. To characterize this paradox, the interpretations of Bensussan (2009) and Franck (2008) are taken as foundation. The resolution of the paradox is made from the asymmetrical and non-reciprocal recognition that can be extracted from Levinas’ works.