Abstract: In western philosophy, metaphysics has ever been identifying with ontology, but by the concept 'transcendence' Levinas differs form them. He thinks ontology is in fact a theory of power generated from 'ego'. Metaphysics not only escapes power but also founds the possibility of ethics, for it is a thought beyond ontology that starts from 'the other'. This paper argues that Levinas idea shows us an important sense for understanding the contemporary western philosophy because western philosophy has despairingly been falling into the ontology and the theory of knowledge. Furthermore, it has greatly affected the postmodern philosophy.