Category Archives: levinas

Pacifism and Violence: Two More Thoughts on Why I’m not a Pacifist

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Tim McGee

I’ve appreciated the feedback and conversations on my previous post on pacifism. Please keep them coming–as I said, I’m not settled where I am but more recognizing where I am not any more (or where I never was). I mentioned … Continue reading →

Posted in bonhoeffer, carter, colonialism, death, fanon, levinas, politics, violence | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Pacifism and Giving Death: Why I’m No Longer (or Never Was) a Pacifist

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Tim McGee

In society such as it functions one cannot live without killing, or at least without taking the preliminary steps for the death of someone. Consequently, the important question of the meaning of being is not: why is there something rather … Continue reading →

Posted in bonhoeffer, levinas, refugees, violence | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

No More Transgressions: immigration and Christ’s invasion

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Tim McGee

“Subjectivity goes to the point of substitution for the Other…Subjectivity as such is initially hostage; it answers to the point of expiating for others.”  E. Levinas “Totality and Infinity pushes the respect for dissymmetry so far that it seems to … Continue reading →

Posted in barth, bonhoeffer, colonialism, Derrida, ethics, feminism, immigration, levinas, politics, race | Leave a comment

Columbus Day: Ralph Ellison and the Waters of Meribah

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Tim McGee

My previous post suggested that attempts to construct the proper grounds on which to meet the other is an attempt to control the relationship, even if that comes masked in good intentions.  What must be clarified is that to reach … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, fanon, genocide, history, levinas | Leave a comment

Beyond a Common Ground: Levinas, Fanon, and Touching the Other

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Tim McGee

“To approach the Other in conversation is to welcome his expression, in which at each instant he overflows the idea a thought would carry away from it.  It is therefore to receive from the Other beyond the capacity of the I, which … Continue reading →

Posted in colonialism, ethics, fanon, levinas | Leave a comment