Emmanuel Levinas, the French philosopher renowned for his ethical philosophy centered on the ‘Other,’ expressed profound admiration for Vasily Grossman’s novel Life and Fate. While Levinas did not extensively cite Grossman’s work in his formal writings, he acknowledged its significant impact on his thought.
In a 1985 colloquium on ‘Memory and History’ (Mémoire et histoire), Levinas remarked:
“The great book that impressed me a lot, I have to say, is the book by Vasily Grossman, Life and Fate.”
This acknowledgment indicates that Grossman’s exploration of human dignity amidst totalitarian regimes resonated deeply with Levinas’s ethical considerations.
Scholars have noted thematic parallels between Grossman’s narrative and Levinas’s philosophy. For instance, Grossman’s emphasis on individual moral choices and the sanctity of human life aligns with Levinas’s focus on the ethical responsibility to the Other. Both thinkers grapple with the moral complexities faced by individuals under oppressive systems, highlighting the enduring human capacity for compassion and ethical action.
While direct citations are limited, the intellectual and moral kinship between Levinas and Grossman is evident in their shared commitment to exploring the depths of human ethics in the face of adversity.
