The Philosophy of Otherness (the “Other”) in the Thought of Mutaʿ Ṣafdi and Abdelkebir Khatibi: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study seeks to provide a comparative reading of the concept of otherness in the thought of both Syrian thinker Mutac Safadi and Moroccan thinker Abdelkebir Khatibi, as they are among the most prominent Arab thinkers who have been concerned with the problematic of the Other in the context of contemporary Arab thought. I find that these two thinkers have presented distinguished visions regarding the issue of otherness, where Safadi developed a dialectical concept of the Other within the framework of his criticism of traditional Arab thought, while Khatibi was concerned with the Other as a fundamental component in building Maghrebi and Arab identity. The importance of this study lies in its attempt to reveal the points of convergence and difference between these two perspectives, and to analyze their contributions to enriching the philosophical dialogue about the Other in contemporary Arab thought. Through this research, I have concluded that both Safadi and Khatibi have transcended the traditional view of the Other as enemy or stranger, to present a more complex and profound understanding of the concept of otherness as a fundamental condition for existence and knowledge.