Marx after the Kyoto School: Utopia and the Pure Land

Nishida Kitarō, the founder of the Kyoto School, engaged with Western philosophy, including Karl Marx, and developed concepts such as self-awareness, Basho, dialectical materialism, circulation, will, nothingness, and the state. His thought offers an ethics of personal will for radical awakening in a seemingly hopeless world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Nishida Kitarō, a renowned philosopher of Japan, holds a prominent position in the realm of modern philosophy. His profound contributions have earned him widespread acclaim as one of the greatest thinkers of his time. As the founder of the Kyoto School, Nishida embarked on a rigorous intellectual journey, engaging deeply with Western philosophy, encompassing the works of influential figures such as Karl Marx. In this essay, Bradley Kaye delves into the political dimensions of Nishida's thought, exploring how his ideas intersect with Marxism and Zen. Through his development of concepts such as self-awareness, Basho, dialectical materialism, circulation, will, nothingness, and the state, Nishida offers a unique perspective on philosophy that challenges conventional understanding. His thought provides a profound ethical framework, advocating for a radical awakening that offers clarity and hope in a seemingly bleak world.

Nishida's philosophical inquiry began during his formative years in Kyoto, where he was exposed to the rich cultural heritage of Japan. His early studies in literature and philosophy laid the foundation for his later philosophical pursuits. However, it was his encounter with Western philosophy that truly shaped his intellectual trajectory. Nishida's fascination with Marxism began in his early twenties when he encountered the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. He was deeply influenced by Marx's analysis of capitalism and his vision of a socialist society. Nishida, however, did not adopt a simplistic reductionist approach to Marxism. Instead, he sought to integrate Marx's ideas with the traditional Japanese philosophy of Zen, which emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, self-awareness, and the interconnectedness of all things.

One of the central themes in Nishida's thought is the concept of "self-awareness." According to Nishida, the self is not a fixed entity but rather a dynamic process of becoming. The self is constantly evolving and changing, influenced by external factors and internal experiences. Nishida believed that the self is not an isolated individual but rather a part of a larger interconnected network of beings. This interconnectedness, he argued, is the source of our sense of belonging and our ability to empathize with others.

Another key concept in Nishida's philosophy is "Basho." Basho, a Japanese poet and philosopher, was a major influence on Nishida's thought. Basho's poetry emphasizes the beauty of nature and the impermanence of existence. Nishida interpreted Basho's poetry as a reflection of the self-awareness that he advocated. He saw the self as a fleeting and transient phenomenon, constantly changing and evolving. Nishida believed that the self could only be fully understood through the experience of Basho's poetry, which allowed us to see the world from a new perspective.

Nishida's dialectical materialism is another important aspect of his thought. Dialectical materialism is a philosophical framework that emphasizes the interplay between the material world and the human mind. Nishida believed that the self is not an independent entity but rather a product of the material world. He argued that the self is shaped by the social, economic, and political conditions in which we live. Nishida believed that the self could only be fully understood through the study of these conditions, which allowed us to understand the underlying forces that shape our lives.

Nishida's concept of "circulation" is another key aspect of his thought. Circulation refers to the process of the self moving through time and space. Nishida believed that the self is not a fixed entity but rather a process of becoming. He argued that the self is constantly moving through a series of stages, each of which is influenced by the previous stage. Nishida believed that the self could only be fully understood through the study of these stages, which allowed us to understand the nature of change and the process of becoming.

Nishida's concept of "will" is another important aspect of his thought. Will is often associated with human agency and decision-making. Nishida, however, believed that the will is not a purely human phenomenon. He argued that the will is a product of the self-awareness that he advocated. He saw the will as a manifestation of the self's desire to become and to achieve its goals. Nishida believed that the will could only be fully understood through the study of the self, which allowed us to understand the underlying forces that drive our actions.

Nishida's concept of "nothingness" is another key aspect of his thought. Nothingness is often associated with the void or the absence of anything. Nishida, however, believed that nothingness is not a negative concept but rather a positive one. He argued that nothingness is the source of all existence and that the self is a product of this nothingness. Nishida believed that the self could only be fully understood through the experience of nothingness, which allowed us to see the world from a new perspective.

Nishida's concept of the state is another important aspect of his thought. The state, according to Nishida, is not a separate entity but rather a product of the self-awareness that he advocated. He argued that the state is a manifestation of the self's desire to create order and stability in the world. Nishida believed that the state could only be fully understood through the study of the self, which allowed us to understand the underlying forces that drive political and social systems.

In conclusion, Nishida Kitarō is a renowned philosopher of Japan who has made profound contributions to the field of modern philosophy. His engagement with Western philosophy, particularly Marxism, has shaped his unique perspective on the world. Through his development of concepts such as self-awareness, Basho, dialectical materialism, circulation, will, nothingness, and the state, Nishida offers a profound ethical framework that advocates for a radical awakening and a sense of clarity in a seemingly hopeless world. Nishida's thought continues to inspire and influence philosophers and thinkers around the world, and his legacy as one of Japan's greatest modern philosophers will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 238 x 159 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538154076