In this paper, I study Emmanuel Levinas’ critique of Husserl. Levinas
appropriates Husserl’s phenomenology as one of the basic philosophical
foundations. He developed his thought using phenomenology. Through
phenomenology, he created a method that philosophically meditates on the
meanings of life. In this way, Husserl’s phenomenology resulted to a capability
to see life and the world as ‘lived experience’ for Levinas. However, Levinas
doesn’t want to accept Husserl’s phenomenology uncritically. Because in his
opinion Husserl’s phenomenology is philosophy that Ego dominate the Other.
Whereas Levinas needed to make ethical ground as absolute Otherness of the
Other. For this reason, Husserl’s philosophical tendency becomes an object to
overcome. In this study, this Levinas’ critical point will be discussed focusing
on the concept of ‘intentionality.’ Since Husserl and Levinas consider
‘intentionality’ as the fundamental theme of phenomenology. Therefore,
philosophical distance between Husserl and Levinas will be revealed by
clarifying their differences in positions of ‘intentionality.’ By this investigation,
we reconsider Levinas’ philosophical thought under the tradition of
phenomenology, and will be clearer in comprehending the differences in their
philosophies. As a result, we can almost get rid of some misunderstandings of
Levinas’ critique of Husserl.