Levinas and Theology

Emmanuel Levinas is both a philosopher and a religious thinker, and philosophy and religion (and theology) find a common point of contact in a consideration of the human person. The human person is never solitary, but always and already involved with others. Involvement with others raises the ethical question of how we interact with others. The theological question takes its point of departure in considering the person who asks the question. Levinas often argues that ethics is ‘first philosophy’ but latterly, despite his mistrust of theology, he admits that ethics is also ‘first theology’. This book outlines the basic themes of Levinas’ thought and their usefulness to fundamental and practical theology. It will be useful for honours and graduate students in philosophy, theology, and religious studies, as well as those with a background in theology and religious studies who are approaching Levinas for the first time.