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The Logic of Nothingness: A Study of Nishida Kitaro
The writings of Nishida Kitarô, whose name has become almost synonymous with Japanese philosophy, continue to attract attention around the world. Yet studies of his thought in Western languages have tended to overlook two key areas: first, the influence of the generation of Japanese philosophers who preceded Nishida; and second, the logic of basho (place), the cornerstone of Nishida’s mature philosophical system.
The Logic of Nothingness addresses both of these topics. Robert Wargo argues that the overriding concern of Nishida’s mature philosophy, the attempt to give a reasonable account of reality that includes the reasonableness of that account itself―or what Wargo calls "the problem of completeness"―has its origins in Inoue Enryo’s (1858–1919) and Inoue Tetsujiro’s (1855–1944) preoccupation with "the problem of standpoints." A translation of one of Nishida’s most demanding texts, included here as an appendix, demonstrates the value of Wargo’s insightful analysis of the logic of basho as an aid to deciphering the philosopher’s early work.
The Logic of Nothingness addresses both of these topics. Robert Wargo argues that the overriding concern of Nishida’s mature philosophy, the attempt to give a reasonable account of reality that includes the reasonableness of that account itself―or what Wargo calls "the problem of completeness"―has its origins in Inoue Enryo’s (1858–1919) and Inoue Tetsujiro’s (1855–1944) preoccupation with "the problem of standpoints." A translation of one of Nishida’s most demanding texts, included here as an appendix, demonstrates the value of Wargo’s insightful analysis of the logic of basho as an aid to deciphering the philosopher’s early work.
- GenresPhilosophyBuddhism
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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February 3, 2021
After finishing Nishida's An Inquiry into the Good, I was left with countless questions about the logical justifications underlying the metaphysical and ontological claims made by the Japanese philosopher. It was the very depth of this confusion which stoked an equally deep desire to understand passages like the one below:
Robert Wargo does a phenomenal job analyzing the evolution of Nishida's thought, explaining concepts central to the philosophical system, and providing contextual information on Zen Buddhism and Oriental Nothingness which are necessary for a clear understanding of Nishida's innovative philosophy. The only reason I have rated this book four stars is due to the more than sparse number of typos scattered throughout the text. While most of these do not affect the meaning of Wargo's explication, some have rendered their sentences inscrutable without, to speak in Nishidan fashion, the admixture of one's own thought.
Sidenote: I can recommend neither this book nor any of Nishida's works to new readers of philosophy. Wargo frequently uses the lexicon of metaphysics, ontology, epistemology, phenomenology, and formal logic without explaining the terms. This book was intended for a western audience with a background in philosophy that struggled to comprehend Nishida due to his conflation of eastern and western thought.
Contrary to popular belief, true reality is not the subject matter of dispassionate knowledge; it is established through our feeling and willing. It is not simply an existence but something with meaning. If we were to remove our feelings and the will from this world of actuality, it would no longer be a concrete fact-- it would become an abstract concept.
Robert Wargo does a phenomenal job analyzing the evolution of Nishida's thought, explaining concepts central to the philosophical system, and providing contextual information on Zen Buddhism and Oriental Nothingness which are necessary for a clear understanding of Nishida's innovative philosophy. The only reason I have rated this book four stars is due to the more than sparse number of typos scattered throughout the text. While most of these do not affect the meaning of Wargo's explication, some have rendered their sentences inscrutable without, to speak in Nishidan fashion, the admixture of one's own thought.
Sidenote: I can recommend neither this book nor any of Nishida's works to new readers of philosophy. Wargo frequently uses the lexicon of metaphysics, ontology, epistemology, phenomenology, and formal logic without explaining the terms. This book was intended for a western audience with a background in philosophy that struggled to comprehend Nishida due to his conflation of eastern and western thought.
Displaying 1 of 1 review