Heidegger, Levinas, Derrida : The Question of Difference

This book explores the relation between Heidegger, Levinas and Derrida by means of a dialogue with experts on the work of these mutually influential thinkers. Each essay in this collection focuses on the relation between at least two of these three philosophers focusing on various themes, such as Alterity, Justice, Truth and Language. By contextualising these thinkers and tracing their mutually shared themes, the book establishes the question of difference and its ongoing radicalization as the problem to which phenomenology must respond.

Heidegger’s influence on Derrida and Levinas was quite substantial. Derrida once claimed that his work ‘would not have been possible without the opening of Heidegger’s questions.’ Equally, as peers, Derrida and Levinas commented on and critiqued each other’s work. By examining the differences between these thinkers on a variety of themes, this book represents a philosophically enriching project and essential reading for understandingthe respective projects of each of these philosophers.

Dr. Lisa Foran lectures in European Philosophy at Newcastle University. Her research concerns the relationship between phenomenology and hermeneutics, particularly in French twentieth century thought.

Dr. Rozemund Uljée lectures at the Institute for Philosophy at Leiden University, the Netherlands. Her work focuses on the role of temporality in the thinking of justice in the writings of Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Levinas.

In 2012, Lisa Foran and Rozemund Uljée were together granted the prestigious New Foundations Award from the Irish Research Council to begin a new research project.  The project now titled ‘The Difference of Philosophy’ opens an international dialogue on the role of philosophy in contemporary society through a series of workshops and conferences. This volume addresses the project’s title through an investigation of three of Europe’s most important thinkers of difference.