A Comparative Reading of the Theory of “Ethics” and “Psychoanalitic” in the Context of the Concept of Otherness in the Thought of Lacan and Levinas

Abstract

The concept of otherness is positioned as one of the most fundamental problems of contemporary philosophy especially in connection with the concept of subject in the modern philosophical tradition that was started by Descartes. Especially phenomenology which tries to reveal the structure of consciousness and each of the thinkers tend towards being, existence, human beings and various aspects of modern society, have problematized the concept of otherness in their different aspects. In this context, it seems interesting to turn to the thoughts of two different thinkers like Lacan and Levinas; because these two thinkers come from different disciplines and who are quite distant in their thoughts; thus it is aimed to show how centrally the problematic of Otherness or Alterity is tackled by these two different thinkers, even with a different content. In this context, the thoughts of Lacan and Levinas will be illustrated by trying to emphasize their similarities and differences in the context of the concept of Otherness, and thus, it will also be shown how determinant the concept of Otherness is in terms of contemporary philosophy.