ON LEVINAS, like other titles in the Wadsworth Philosopher's Series, offers a concise, yet comprehensive, introduction to this philosopher's most important ideas. Presenting the most important insights of well over a hundred seminal philosophers in both the Eastern and Western traditions, the Wadsworth Philosophers Series--edited by Daniel Kolak of The William Paterson University of New Jersey--contains volumes written by scholars well-versed in each featured philosopher's major works and contributions. These titles will prove valuable in a number of ways. For students, they can be read as standalone texts or, when read alongside these philosophers' often conceptually daunting works, they can be helpful resources in identifying the key ideas. For instructors, these books are handy "refreshers." For a general audience, these titles have proven themselves to be an accessible and compelling means of engaging these philosophers' many rich thoughts.
Selain 'Enigma Wajah Orang Lain' karangan Thomas Hidya Tjahya, saya pikir, buku karangan Atterton ini merupakan pengantar yang bagus untuk mengenali pemikiran Levinas (untuk mengenali pemikiran Levinas lebih detail, dapat dilanjutkan dengan membaca 'Discovering Levinas' karangan Michael L. Morgan). 'On Levinas' mengulas dua karya utama Levinas (menurut saya, sebenarnya ada tiga karya utama Levinas, (i) Existence and Existents, (ii) Totality and Infinity dan (iii) Otherwise than Being or Beyond Essence) yaitu 'Totality and Infinity' dan 'Otherwise than Being or Beyond Essence'. Atterton memberikan pemahaman atas konsep-konsep kunci dalam kedua buku tersebut. Untuk mengenalkan pembaca pada 'Totality and Infinity', Atterton mengulas empat hal pokok yang perlu diperhatikan untuk memahami karya tersebut. Hal-hal itu adalah kritik terhadap ontologi, separasi, wajah dan eros. Adapun untuk mengenalkan pembaca pada 'Otherwise than Being or Beyond Essence', Atterton mengulas the Saying and the Said, tanggungjawab, substitusi, terakhir keadilan dan yang-politis.