Responsibility beyond the ontological difference

Abstract

Thinking of ontological difference is one of the main directions of Martin Heidegger‘s thought. Heidegger makes clear that it is the ontological difference, the difference between Being [Sein] and entities [Seiendes], that makes possible or enables philosophy itself, philosophy understood as the thinking of being, being’s thinking, the possibility of raising the question of being itself. The thinking of ontological difference for Heidegger is the way to avoid the forgetfulness of being and to overcome metaphysics. Ontological difference and the verbality of being, the verbality of the verb “to be,” are also the most important moments in Heidegger for Levinas, though he does not follow Heidegger’s ontological intention or direction of thinking. Emmanuel Levinas goes beyond ontological difference thinking otherwise than being.