EMMANUELLEVINAS' NOTION OFETHICS OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE OTHERAND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH AFRICAN COMMUNALISM

Abstract

A plausible conception of substantive human dignity is grounded in an African communal conception of dignity and personhood that emphasizes individual responsibilities. Thus, The Africans eulogize and no less amplify African communalism. This is the unique characteristic that distinguishes us from other continents. However with the reality facing us today, it becomes exigent to investigate into the authenticity of this claim. The question of human rights and dignity and philosophy of care for others is one among global issues today both in the academia and social restructuring policies. This was provoked by the devastating experiences of slavery, colonialism, First and Second World Wars and continuous ill treatments on the human person. Measures have been taken and thoughts have been developed on the human person's rights and dignity and philosophy of care for the 'Other' by philosophers and others alike. Responding to this non-recognition and appreciation of the human person, Emmanuel Levinas, among others shocked by the reality of his experience and witness of the inhuman treatment of the Jews in the Nazi camps of Adolf Hitler developed his philosophy of the "Other" which is conveyed in his notion of "face-face" Ethics of responsibility for 'Other'. Thus, the task of this work therefore is to juxtapose Levinas' Ethics with the African communalism, underscoring the factors that have militated against the said communalism and see what could be adopted from Levinas' philosophy of 'Other' to promote communalism in Africa. Expository, analytic and evaluative methods would be adopted in this paper for the sake of clarity