The self-others problem in Watsuji and Kuki

ワツジ ト クキ ノ ジコ ト タシャ ノ モンダイ ニ ツイテ

Liu, Ching-Yu

オオサカ ダイガク ダイガクイン ニンゲン カガク ケンキュウカ シャカイガク ニンゲンガク ジンルイガク ケンキュウシツ

Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University

他者

粋

間柄

共同体

This article attempts to discuss the characteristics of Japanese culture based on the similarities of the "Self" and "Others" as proposed by Watsuji and Kuki. They both base their arguments on the criticism of the concept of “individualism” in a Western philosophical context. In Watsuji Tetsuro’s Rinrigaku: Ethics in Japan, he redefines the concept of ethics. In his opinion, "Others" should not be excluded from the individuals other than "Self"; rather, "Others" should be considered as an individual in the community in the same way as the "Self". The critical issue of ethics is to recognize the roles of "Self" and "Others" in the community. In The Structure of "Iki" and The Problem of Contingency, Kuki points out the lack of the necessity of individual existence. There is no necessity, whether it is in the existence of "Self" or in relationships with others. Therefore, when facing an unknown future, one has to maintain an open-minded attitude, that is, to accept the persistent change of "Self" and "Others" While Watsuji and Kuki keep very different ethical stances, they actually reflect different aspects of the same Japanese culture.