Robert Edgar Carter

Introduces the work and thought of Nishida Kitar-o, a Japanese who was one of the 20th century's most profound interpreters of Oriental metaphysics in the language Western philosophy. Expounds his approach to God, religion, morality, and pure experience, with chapters on the logic of basho, self-contradictory identity, God and nothingness, action intuition, and values and feeling. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Nishida Kitaro Second Edition

Nothingness Beyond God

This book provides a much-needed introduction to the Kyoto School of Japanese philosophy. Robert E. Carter focuses on four influential Japanese philosophers: the three most important members of the Kyoto School (Nishida Kitar, Tanabe Hajime, and Nishitani Keiji), and a fourth (Watsuji Tetsur ), who was, at most, an associate member of the school. Each of these thinkers wrestled systematically with the Eastern idea of nothingness, albeit from very different perspectives. Many Western scholars, students, and serious general readers are intrigued by this school of thought, which reflects Japan s engagement with the West. A number of works by various thinkers associated with the Kyoto School are now available in English, but these works are often difficult to grasp for those not already well-versed in the philosophical and historical context. Carter s book provides an accessible yet substantive introduction to the school and offers an East-West dialogue that enriches our understanding of Japanese thought while also shedding light on our own assumptions, habits of thought, and prejudices."

An Introduction

The Kyoto School

When we hear the term "Japanese philosophy" we think of Zen Buddhism or the Shinto scriptures. Yet one of the great 20th century interpreters of Western philosophy, Nishida Kitaro, lived and wrote in the Japanese islands all his life, laboring at an ultimate synthesis of oriental thought and Western hermeneutics. To be sure, Nishida's aim was to understand his own cultural influences in relation to the Western world. What distinguished him, however, was his passion for rendering oriental metaphysics understandable in the language of Western philosophy, and his attempts to contrast the paradoxicality of Buddhist logic with the logical strategies of Aristotle, Kant, or Hegel. Featured in this book is an interpretation of Nishida's writings. Professor Carter focuses on the Japanese thinker's notion of "basho," a concept of nothingness as field, place or topos as borrowed from Plato's Tim'us. Expounding on the logical foundations and archaic elements in Nishida's work, and carefully explaining Nishida's critical approach to the questions of God, religion and morality, and pure existence, this discerning book offers students of Western philosophy and oriental thought alike a highly readable introduction to the teachings of a true world philosopher.

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Nishida Kitaro

The Nothingness Beyond God

Explores how spiritual values are learned and mind and body developed through the practice of the Japanese arts.

The Japanese Arts and Self-Cultivation

This volume provides an introduction to the Kyoto School of Japanese philosophy. Robert E. Carter focuses on four influential Japanese philosophers: the three most important members of the Kyoto School, and a fourth, who was, at most, an associate member of the school. Each of these thinkers wrestled systematically with the Eastern idea of 'nothingness', albeit from very different perspectives.

Robert Edgar Carter

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