Establishing a New Metaphysics by Way of Transcendence to the Near Side

Nishitani Keiji’s Explanation of the Basis of Nishida Philosophy

Abstract

Nishitani Keiji understood Nishida Philosophy’s core project to be the establishment of new metaphysics. This new metaphysics is characterized by an attempt to lead to transcendental absoluteness without departing from this actual world of ours. This project stems from the modern philosophical circumstances: we are no longer able to find a way to solve the problems of our inner human life by following a path to an other world or, in Buddhist language, the“other side”or“far side”，because, in our modern life, we accept only this world, that is to say,“this side”or“the near side”as the actual and true world and we do not permit any kind of departure from this world. According to Nishitani, Nishida philosophy attempted to solve this problem by breaking through the framework of empiricism to“experience itself”.By means of this breakthrough, we can realize“experience”as the one, whole, and absolute activity. Nishitani understands Nishida’s breakthrough to experience itself as a transcendence to“this side”or“the near side”.By means of this breakthrough, our personal subjectivity will also come to be recognized as a part of the one, whole and absolute activity; and hence a path to absoluteness will be found that differs from the path that leads to a transcendence to an “other side”or“far side”.In this manner, Nishida Philosophy establishes a new metaphysics, which connects us with transcendental absoluteness without departing from our actual and daily world.