Reseña

“Drawing on the philosophy of Levinas and the political theology of Metz, Dr Losada-Sierra shows that we can overcome our indifference to suffering by hearing the cries of the victims of history. Correcting Athens with a return to Jerusalem, both Levinas and Metz seek to infuse their thought with biblical awareness of the widow and the orphan. When we respond in this way to the call of the marginalised, theology and philosophy can meet in a thinking that goes beyond the idealism of dialectical conceptions of history altogether. If dialectical history—history considered as progress—echoes theodicy in justifying evil, then we must seek another theodicy. We must not seek to rationalise evil away; rather, to look it full in the face by not turning away from those who have suffered it. Instead of focusing on future resolution, we must remember past injustice. Through a masterful reading of Levinas and Metz that puts these two very different thinkers in conversation with one another, Dr Losada-Sierra demonstrates that it is our response to the cry of the suffering that is important. The memory of past suffering must lead to responsibility in the present.” (Assoc. Prof. Gideon Baker, Griffith University, Australia)