Curtis A. Rigsby, Division of Humanities, Philosophy Program, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam
關鍵詞
Nothingness; Kyoto School; Chinese philosophy; Metaphysics; Epistemology; Self-determination
摘要
The concept of Nothingness—Japanese mu or Chinese wú 無—is central both to the Kyoto School (Kyōto gakuha 京都学派) and to important strands of Chinese philosophy. The Kyoto School, which has been active since the 1930s, is arguably modern Japan’s most philosophically sophisticated challenge to Western thought. Further, as contemporary East Asia continues to rise in importance, East Asians and Westerners alike are beginning to consider anew the contemporary philosophical relevance of Confucianism, Daoism, and East-Asian Buddhism. These originally Chinese traditions were certainly important influences directly and indirectly on Kyoto School philosophy itself. At the very least, Kyoto thought and Chinese thought share foundational structural resemblances, especially regarding the concept of Nothingness. This study summarizes the concept of Nothingness in the Kyoto School and in Chinese philosophy, and then offers an evaluation of the contemporary relevance and general coherence of this concept.
目次
1 Introduction 469 2 A Summary of the Three Strands of Nothingness 470 2.1 Chinese Philosophy 470 2.1.1 Daoism: The Dao and the Metaphysical / Ontological Strand of Nothingness 470 2.1.2 Confucianism: Wuwei and the Active / Practical Strand of Nothingness 471 2.1.3 Buddhism: The Middle Way and the Logical / Epistemic Strand of Nothingness 472 2.2 The Kyoto School 474 2.2.1 Nishida and the Metaphysical / Ontological Strand of Nothingness 474 2.2.2 Tanabe and the Active /Practical Strand of Nothingness 476 2.2.3 Nishitani and the Logical / Epistemic Strand of Nothingness 480 3 An Evaluation of the Three Strands of Nothingness 482 3.1 The Contemporary Relevance of the Three Strands 482 3.1.1 Metaphysical / Ontological 483 3.1.2 Active / Practical 484 3.1.3 Logical / Epistemic 486 3.2 The General Coherence of the Three Strands 487 References 488
