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Philosophize This! · December 23, 2024 · 42m
Episode #216 — The Self-Overcoming of Nihilism (Kyoto School pt. 1 — Nishitani)
Keiji Nishitani and the Kyoto School's synthesis of Western philosophy and Zen Buddhism. Nishitani argues that nihilism isn't a dead end — it's a doorway. You have to go through meaninglessness to reach a deeper meaning on the other side.
This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.
Canon
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West: Nishitani's insight is that Zen meditation provides exactly what Western philosophy lacks — a practice for moving through nihilism rather than getting stuck in it. The experience of 'sunyata' (emptiness) is nihilism transcended, not nihilism avoided.
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West: Nishitani studied with Heidegger in Germany and with Zen masters in Japan, synthesizing both traditions into something new. His biography demonstrates that mentors from different cultures can produce insights neither culture generated alone.
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