Andris Breitling's significant contributions to the field of Levinas studies, particularly his work in exploring the complexities of communication within a Levinasian framework, offer a rich terrain for investigation. His edited volume, *Debating Levinas’ Legacy*, showcases the ongoing relevance and enduring challenges posed by Emmanuel Levinas's philosophy, particularly concerning the ethical implications of communication. This article will delve into Breitling's engagement with Levinas, focusing on the inherent risks and promises of communication as understood through the Levinasian lens of "opening" or "overture" (ouverture), as explored in Levinas's seminal work, *Otherwise than Being*. We will examine how Breitling, through his editorial work and scholarly contributions, navigates the tension between the vulnerability inherent in genuine communication and the ethical imperative it represents.
Levinas's concept of communication, as interpreted and developed by Breitling and others, moves beyond a simple transactional exchange of information. It is not a neutral process but a profoundly ethical encounter, characterized by a radical alterity that disrupts the self's comfortable solipsism. The "opening" or "overture" signifies a breaking down of the self's established structures, a willingness to be affected, disrupted, and even challenged by the other. This is not a passive receptivity, but an active engagement that necessitates a relinquishing of control and a willingness to encounter the absolute otherness of the face-to-face encounter.
The "risk" in Levinasian communication lies precisely in this vulnerability. The encounter with the other is not guaranteed to be pleasant or even comprehensible. It carries the potential for conflict, misunderstanding, and even suffering. The other's demand, as Levinas emphasizes, can be disruptive, challenging our pre-conceived notions and demanding a response that transcends the self-interested calculations of everyday life. This risk, however, is not something to be avoided; rather, it is the very condition of possibility for ethical engagement. The ethical act, for Levinas, is not a calculated decision but a response to the other's vulnerability, a response that precedes any rational justification.
Breitling's work, through the lens of *Debating Levinas’ Legacy*, highlights the various interpretations and debates surrounding this crucial aspect of Levinas's philosophy. The contributions within the volume likely explore the nuances of the "opening," considering its implications for various forms of communication, ranging from interpersonal relationships to political discourse and even technological interactions. The editors likely sought to address the challenges of applying Levinas’s complex ideas to contemporary contexts, recognizing that the inherent risks and promises of communication are constantly being renegotiated in a rapidly changing world.
current url：https://vfxxgu.d767y.com/bag/andris-breitling-the-risk-and-promise-of-communication-18313