Ethics and the Concept of the Face in Emmanuel Levinas’s First Philosophy

Abstract

This article examines Emmanuel Levinas's transformative impact on modern philosophy through the concept of the "Face" as the foundation for "Ethics as first philosophy." It begins with his critique of the Western philosophical tradition, which prioritizes ontology and adequation, showing how he shifted from the "Said" to the "Saying" as an ethical event prior to knowledge. The Face is presented not as a phenomenological given, but as a manifestation of absolute alterity opening onto metaphysics and exteriority. By exploring its paradox—combining vulnerability and authority—the study reveals how the Face summons the self through the imperative "Thou shalt not kill." Ultimately, Levinas's philosophy redefines selfhood as grounded not in Being or egocentrism, but in unconditional, asymmetrical responsibility toward the Other, placing ethics beyond essence and ontology.