Levinas' Ethics
Levinas' ethics teaches us about the God's goodness. He says that this goodness is in the faces of all human beings. When we look at another person's face, we see the miracle of God's creation. This person is referred to as "The Other." Their face impacts us to protect them against all threats. For example, when you see another kid being beat up by someone stronger than them, you see their scared, and desperate face, it impacts you, making you want to help them.
Each thing or person is a unique expression of the Good.
As stated before, Levinas tells us that each person's face shows us an expression of the Good. The moment we look into their eyes, they have made an impact on us. We cannot look at the Other's face neutrally. They must have made some sort of impression on us. Levinas teaches us that God is in the Other's faces, especially when they are need of help. That miserable, and defenseless face is what motivates us to help them.
The video below is a clip from the movie Wall-E. In this video, Wall-E first meets Eve, and many emotions ran through him. You could see him scared, fascinated, and even seem to like Eve. This video proves to us that we cannot look at another person's face neutrally. They have impacted us the moment we see them.
The video below is a clip from the movie Wall-E. In this video, Wall-E first meets Eve, and many emotions ran through him. You could see him scared, fascinated, and even seem to like Eve. This video proves to us that we cannot look at another person's face neutrally. They have impacted us the moment we see them.
The face of another calls me to respond.
Levinas states that the Other's face is what prompts us to help them. The Other's face is a stranger, and is totally defenseless. When we see someone suffering, their face makes us more inclined to help them. Their face wakes up the goodness in us.
The video below is a short clip from the movie Mulan. The Hans have invaded China, and Mulan's father, Fa Zhou, was selected as one of the men to join the army to fight for China. Fa Zhou is getting old, and his leg isn't working as well like before, when he practices his sword fighting, his leg gives out, and he falls down. Mulan sees this, and feels sorry for her father, and desperately wants to help him. Seeing his face in pain, Mulan makes the decision of pretending to be a guy to replace Fa Zhou in the army.
The video below is a short clip from the movie Mulan. The Hans have invaded China, and Mulan's father, Fa Zhou, was selected as one of the men to join the army to fight for China. Fa Zhou is getting old, and his leg isn't working as well like before, when he practices his sword fighting, his leg gives out, and he falls down. Mulan sees this, and feels sorry for her father, and desperately wants to help him. Seeing his face in pain, Mulan makes the decision of pretending to be a guy to replace Fa Zhou in the army.