Heidegger and Levinas Divergence of positions towards Nazism

Abstract

The relationship between Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Levinas had a clear difference in their political positions, especially when it came to Nazism. Levinas was strongly and clearly opposed to Nazism through his works and writings. He also affirmed his rejection of the violence and tyranny represented by the Nazi regime, and he referred to... The importance of deep moral and human values, in addition to his call to think about moral responsibility and compassion for others. As for Heidegger, he is known to have joined the Nazi Party immediately after Hitler seized power, but after the war Heidegger denied his connection to Nazism and that his ideas were separate from it and must be considered independently. The stormy relationship between Heidegger and French philosophy has caused a whirlwind of controversy. The dilemma lies in the fact that the idea of ​​human rights, which has penetrated deeply into the French cultural fabric, especially among Levinas the greatest, who was influenced by his philosophical ideas, has received a severe blow with the revelation of Heidegger’s past linked to Nazism, which led to distortion of his understanding and skepticism. In it in multiple ways, and explicitly declaring hostility to and rejection of his philosophical ideas.