The characteristics and implications of Nishida’s theory of the nation

Abstract

Compared with other contemporary Japanese philosophical ideas, Nishida’s theory of the nation is original in character. This paper will focus on the fundamental qualities of Nishida’s theory of the nation in terms of three points of view: individuality, universality and transcendency. Although Nishida insists that the nation is based on ‘historical species,’ he does not ignore the question of individuality in his theory of the nation. In fact, he argues that the nation is created by individuals. This individuality is also related to the question of universality in that individuals create nations through a kind of universality. The nation is, as such, not something solitary but instead something international in nature. The individuality or specificity of the nation is, morevoer, deeply rooted in what Nishida calls transcendency, or ‘absolute nothingness’. Consequently, the nation, which is created by individuals, has its own transcedental qualities. After discussing these issues, the paper then turns to Nishida’s hypothesis about the role of the nation in the evolution of world history. Nishida insists that all national cultures are metamorphoses of one‘cultural prototype’, suggesting that there are no essential differences of worth or value among different cultures. This position also supports the peaceful coexistence of different nations and peoples through mutual effort. Nishida surmises that Japan has this as its world historical mission, namely, bridging the gap between East and West.