Identity and Difference (Emmanuel Levinas)

Emmanuel Levinas' concept of "Identity and Difference" explores how our sense of self is shaped through our interactions with others. Identity refers to who we are—our beliefs, values, and personality—while difference highlights that others are fundamentally unique and distinct from us. Levinas emphasizes that true understanding and ethical responsibility come from recognizing and respecting others’ differences, going beyond mere similarity. This relationship urges us to respond ethically to others as separate individuals, fostering genuine compassion and moral regard, rather than reducing them to objects or mere parts of our own identity.