The logic of nothingness: a study of Nishida Kitaro

Abstract

writings of Nishida Kitaro, whose name has become almost synonymous with Japanese philosophy, continue to attract attention around world. Yet studies of his thought in Western languages have tended to overlook two key areas: first, influence of generation of Japanese philosophers that preceded Nishida; and second, logic of basho (place), cornerstone of Nishida's mature philosophical system. The Logic of Nothingness addresses both of these topics. Robert Wargo argues that overriding concern of Nishida's mature philosophy, attempt to give a reasonable account of reality that includes 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 stand-points. A translation of one of Nishida's most demanding texts, included here as an appendix, demonstrates value of Wargo's insightful analysis of logic of basho as an aid to deciphering philosopher's early work.