Overcoming Nihilism : a passage between Luce Irigaray and Nishitani Keiji

Abstract

This thesis is a hermeneutical dialogue between Luce Irigaray and Nishitani Keiji. The main aim of the thesis is to creatively weave together their key thoughts of sexuate difference and śūnyatā. I do this by juxtaposing key points in their philosophical oeuvres, thereby developing my own position which includes the insight of sexuate difference within the insight of śūnyatā. The philosophical position I come to is one that satisfies and strengthens both Luce Irigaray and Nishitani Keiji’s requirements for overcoming nihilism, while at the same time, taking further each of their respective relational self understandings. I argue that a relational self-understanding is dependent on bodily practices and the need to understand sexuate human being as integrated with nature. The philosophical problem of non-duality is examined with respect to sexuate difference, and I propose a non-dual position based on the insight of śūnyatā that still includes sexuate difference as a fundamental relational difference. Finally, interpersonal relationships are re-examined from an integrated position of the human being, as a living breathing body wh0 is always sexuate, while at the same time, being always on the field of śūnyatā.