Alterity, Otherwise, than Other

The concept of ontology has a long and complex history, with roots that can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Parmenides, who is widely regarded as its founder. Parmenides developed the idea of ontology as a means of exploring the fundamental nature of existence and being. He sought to understand the logical and immanent meaning of the term “being” and how it relates to the world around us. In contrast, metaphysics is concerned with exploring the fundamental nature of reality itself. It distances itself from the physical world and its distinct temporal elements. Plato, in his work Sophist, argued that only the “eteros” remained identical to itself within the system of genera, highlighting the importance of understanding the nature of existence itself. Similarly, Aristotle’s Metaphysics reflected a tension between the creation of a closed system and the impossibility of reaching it. In book Δ/V, chapters 9 and 10, he discussed the meanings of the terms “other” and “opposite”, revealing the challenges of understanding the nature of reality itself. The debate between ontology and metaphysics has been ongoing in the Anglo-Saxon world since the early twentieth century, particularly in the context of empiricism. This debate has resurfaced in France, where philosophers like Levinas and Ricoeur have attempted to reconcile the tension between ontology and metaphysics by proposing categories such as “dialectic” and “metaphor” to bridge the divide. In this chapter, we will continue this process of reconciliation between ontology and metaphysics, recognizing the necessary identity of each pole involved in the dispute. By exploring the complexities and nuances of these concepts, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental nature of existence and reality.