Masculinity, Violence, and the (Im)Possibility of Ethical Encounterings: A Levinasian Response to Moral Education

• In Event: Relational and Ethical Dimensions of Pedagogy

Abstract

At the present time, we are confronted with exacerbated violence in and outside schools. In this paper, I am concerned with the kind of violence that has been initiated to avenge challenges to, or simply to demonstrate, one’s masculine dominance and identity. Drawing insights primarily from Emmanuel Levinas and Bonnie Mann, I argue that redefining masculinity should not be the starting point of addressing the epidemic of school shooting and other violence as a moral crisis.

Author

• Sijin Yan, Texas A&M University