Emmanuel Lévinas was a French philosopher born in 1906, known for his work in ethics and existentialism. He emphasized the importance of the "Other," arguing that our moral responsibilities arise from our relationships with others. His ideas challenge traditional philosophy by prioritizing ethics over ontology, focusing on how we interact with and respond to other people. Lévinas's major works include Totality and Infinity and Otherwise than Being. He was influenced by his experiences during the Holocaust and sought to address the ethical implications of human existence. His philosophy has had a significant impact on contemporary thought, particularly in Jewish philosophy and existential ethics.