Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Understanding Emmanuel Levinas and Our Responsibility to the Other in Times of Crisis

This paper produced an interpretative analysis of Emmanuel Levinas redefined the meaning of moral responsibility by rooting it in our encounter with another person—the Other. For him, responsibility is not a matter of choice, agreement, or mutual benefit, but something deeper and more radical: it is infinite, immediate, and one-sided. This paper explores Levinas’ concept of responsibility and reflects on its meaning in everyday life, especially when we face situations where helping others comes at a cost. Using real-life examples like caring for the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic and welcoming refugees, I share how Levinas’ philosophy challenges our understanding of ethics and calls us to live beyond ourselves.