Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2012, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (6): 59-65.

• 哲学 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

From the Said to the Saying: The Dimension of the Other in Levinas’ Doctrine of Language

WU Xing-Hua   

  • Online:2012-11-15 Published:2012-11-20
  • Contact: WU Xing-Hua
  • About author: WU Xing-Hua

Abstract: Because Heidegger links language with being, Levinas thinks that Heidegger’s concept of language is still a traditional one, which takes language as the said. In this way, the non--being is subject to being and the other subject to the ego. According to Levinas, language is the saying primarily; the saying is more original than the said; the saying is the response to the other’s visage; it approaches and comes close to the other, and is responsible for the other. Thereby Levinas gives language ethical significance. The expression in his writings is very difficult because of the practice of the negation of the said and the overemphasis on the saying.

Key words: Levinas , the said , the saying , being, the other