THE VALUES OF “CONTRADICTION” IN THEORY AND PRACTICE IN CULTURAL PHILOSOPHY
A Different Way for Overcoming the Contradiction in the Non-occidental Philosophy: The Principle of Absolute-Contradictory Self-Identity by NISHIDA (Kyoto School)
This article examines contradictions between the theory and practice of comparative philosophy in a global world. Aristotle and Plato had different approaches to these “contradictions” that show a “discrepancy” between these two classical thinkers. The topic unaddressed by Plato is taken up in the topos of Nāgārjuna, the great ancient logi-cian of ontology in Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy (the 3rd century AD). The “contra-diction” is a principle that have/had profound influence on creative thought in East Asia. Nishida, the founder of the Kyoto School (20th century), established his philo-sophy through the principle of “Absolute Contradictory Self-Identity.” This principle may stimulate reflection upon our digitally connected contemporary global world, and the chaos it has to face.
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