An Inquiry into the Good

An Inquiry into the Good represented the foundation of Nishida’s philosophy — reflecting both his deep study of Zen Buddhism and his thorough analysis of Western philosophy — and established its author as the foremost Japanese philosopher of this century. This important new translation presents a lucid and accurate rendition of Nishida’s ideas. An Inquiry into the Good represented the foundation of Nishidas philosophyreflecting both his deep study of Zen Buddhism and his thorough analysis of Western philosophyand established its author as the foremost Japanese philosopher of this century. In this important new translation, two scholarsone Japanese and one Americanhave worked together to present a lucid and accurate rendition of Nishidas ideas. "The translators do an admirable job of adhering to the cadence of the original while avoiding unidiomatic, verbatim constructions."John C. Maraldo, Philosophy East and West "More accurate and critical than the first translation into English of Nishida's earliest book. . .. An important addition to library collections of twentieth-century philosophy, Japanese intellectual history, and contemporary Buddhist thought." Choice "A welcome new translation of a work by probably the most original and influential of modern Japanese philosophers."Hid Ishiguro, Times Literary Supplement "Undoubtedly the most important work for anyone in the West interested in understanding modern Japanese thought. This work premiered Japanese philosophy as modern but has also shown unusual staying power. In the late twentieth century Japanese thinkers, both religious and secular, insist on its importance and relevance."William R. La Fleur, University of Pennsylvania "An Inquiry into the Good, the earliest work of Kitarō Nishida, established its author as the foremost Japanese philosopher of the twentieth century. The book represents the foundation of Nishida's philosophy, which reflects both his deep study of Zen Buddhism and his thorough analysis of Western philosophy. In this important new translation, two scholars -- one Japanes and one American -- have worked together to present a lucid and accurate rendition of this basic work. They have also included an enlightening introduction and ample notes to aid the Western reader. Nishida sets forth the notion of "pure experience"--The concept that pure, or direct, experience precedes the separation of subject and object and is true reality. He next considers reality, investigating its relation to thinking, volition, and intuition. The Good, which Nishida considered to be the realization of our internal demands or ideals, is analyzed in the light of the nature of reality and pure experience. In conclusion, Nishida suggests a theory of God as the unifier of the universe and the universe as an expression of God. Throughout he touches upon the work of Western philosophers such as Kant, Hegel, Fichte, William James, and John Dewey in order to explicate his ideas"--Front flap An Inquiry into the Good Contents Introduction by Masao Abe A Note on the Translation Preface by Kitaro Nishida PART I: PURE EXPERIENCE 1. Pure Experience 2. Thinking 3. Will 4. Intellectual Intuition PART II: REALITY 5. The Starting Point of the Inquiry 6. Phenomena of Consciousness Are the Sole Reality 7. The True Features of Reality 8. True Reality Constantly Has the Same Formative Mode 9. The Fundamental Mode of True Reality 10. The Sole Reality 11. The Development of Reality through Differentiation 12. Nature 13. Spirit 14. God as Reality PART III: THE GOOD 15. Conduct (I) 16. Conduct (II) 17. The Freedom of the Will 18. A Study of Conduct in Terms of Value 19. Theories of Ethics (I) 20. Theories of Ethics (II) 21. Theories of Ethics (III) 22. Theories of Ethics (IV) 23. The Good (Energetism) 24. The Good as a Unity of Personality 25. The Motivation of Good Conduct (The Form of the Good) 26. The Goal of Good Conduct (The Content of the Good) 27. Perfect Good Conduct PART IV: RELIGION 28. The Religious Demand 29. The Essence of Religion 30. God 31. God and the World 32. Knowledge and Love Select Bibliography Index Pure Experience -- Reality -- The Good -- Religion. Kitarō Nishida ; Translated By Masao Abe And Christopher Ives. Translation Of: Zen No Kenkyū. Includes Bibliographical References.