Homicide as First Philosophy: Blanchot's Reading of the Allegory of the Cave.

This article delves into the question of what motivates philosophical inquiry and the development of a critical mindset. It explores various perspectives, including the wonderment that arises from existence, the existential structure, and the ethical prohibition of the Other. The author then focuses on Blanchot's interpretation of Plato's allegory of the cave, where Blanchot proposes that it is homicide, rather than wonder or ethics, that enables philosophical questioning. Blanchot argues that to engage in philosophy, one must leave the cave and confront death, which disrupts the continuity and inwardness experienced within the cave. The article raises inquiries about the connection between violence and philosophy and suggests that Blanchot's work provides fresh tools for contemplating the critical role of philosophy and the inherent violence within it. [Extracted from the article]