Author Archives: Michael S. Pearl

Graham Harman and the Levinas Challenge

Posted on February 6, 2013

Emmanuel Levinas maintained that, in a context which includes living beings – beings who consciously experience being, the ethical has priority even over ontology. This priority arises from the apparent fact that at least some living beings are able to … Continue reading →

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More than Justified

Posted on January 12, 2013

An essay regarding the natures of love, values, justification, and being with particular reference to Emmanuel Levinas In an excerpt from his book, One Body, Alexander Pruss says, It is not love … that justifies the general willingness to act … Continue reading →

Posted in Arendt, Ethics, Morality, Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Importance of Nonsense

Posted on October 22, 2012

The transcendent is often alleged to be ineffable. Some will quickly accept this supposed characteristic of the transcendent and tie it to Ludwig Wittgenstein’s statement, “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent” in order to insist on the … Continue reading →

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Effecting the Transcendent

Posted on September 17, 2012

(I would like to thank Paul Newall and Dr. William T. Clark, III, for taking the time to read through the various versions of the thoughts and expressions contained herein (originally posted as The Thin Red Line: Grace in the … Continue reading →

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The Thin Red Line: Grace in the midst of war?, Part 12 of 12

Posted on September 11, 2012

(Continued from Part 11) 12. Some additional thoughts In Witt’s response to Fife, Bell saw grace in the midst of war. But it was just a moment, and the question remains: How is that transcendent love we know as grace … Continue reading →

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The Thin Red Line: Grace in the midst of war?, Part 11 of 12

Posted on September 9, 2012

(Continued from Part 10) 11. Grace: transcending transcendent responsibility Bell is frozen in awe as he looks at Witt. Bell has seen through the world of appearances and perceived a great goodness which he had never before noticed – not … Continue reading →

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The Thin Red Line: Grace in the midst of war?, Part 10 of 12

Posted on September 8, 2012

(Continued from Part 9) 10. Levinasian responsibility and the military ethic When Colonel Tall relieves Capt. Staros of his command after the first battle, he puts Lt. Band in charge of Charlie Company. Band is no leader. This lack of … Continue reading →

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