- 1. An Inquiry Into The Good, written by Nishida Kitarō in 1911, is a seminal work in the field of philosophy that seeks to explore the nature of reality and the concept of the 'good' from a uniquely Japanese perspective, synthesizing Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. Nishida, a pivotal figure in the Kyoto School of philosophy, delves into the relationship between individual consciousness and the absolute, proposing that true understanding can be achieved through a self-reflective engagement with the world. In this text, he draws upon concepts from Zen Buddhism and Western thought, particularly the ideas of Hegel and Kant, to articulate his vision of a non-dualistic reality where the distinction between subject and object is transcended. The work invites readers to contemplate the nature of existence, morality, and the interconnectedness of all beings, arguing that the ultimate 'good' can only be realized through direct experience and intuition rather than purely rational thought. Nishida's exploration of 'pure experience' serves as a foundational element, emphasizing the importance of intuitive knowledge as a means to grasp the underlying unity of life. This inquiry challenges traditional philosophical paradigms and offers a profound reflection on how one's understanding of the good can lead to a more harmonious existence within the community and the cosmos.
What is the original Japanese title of 'An Inquiry Into The Good'?
A) Zen no Kenkyū
B) Bushidō
C) Wabi-Sabi
D) Kokoro
- 2. Nishida Kitarō's philosophy in 'An Inquiry Into The Good' is primarily concerned with what fundamental concept?
A) Aesthetic beauty
B) Pure experience
C) Political ethics
D) Scientific method
- 3. What philosophical tradition heavily influenced Nishida's work?
A) Existentialism
B) British empiricism
C) Ancient Greek philosophy
D) Zen Buddhism
- 4. What does Nishida mean by 'pure experience'?
A) Religious ecstasy
B) Scientific experimentation
C) Aesthetic appreciation
D) Experience before subject-object differentiation
- 5. What is the relationship between religion and philosophy in Nishida's view?
A) They are completely separate
B) They converge in ultimate reality
C) Philosophy disproves religion
D) Religion supersedes philosophy
- 6. How does Nishida define 'the good'?
A) Following moral rules
B) Achieving happiness
C) Serving society
D) Realization of one's true nature
- 7. What is the significance of 'acting-intuition' in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Unity of action and perception
B) Moral intuition
C) Scientific intuition
D) Artistic inspiration
- 8. What is the role of contradiction in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Essential to reality
B) Only apparent
C) A logical error
D) To be eliminated
- 9. What is Nishida's view on the mind-body problem?
A) Body determines mind
B) Mind controls body
C) They are unified in pure experience
D) They are separate substances
- 10. How does Nishida approach the concept of God?
A) As first cause
B) As absolute nothingness
C) As social construct
D) As personal deity
- 11. What is the significance of 'absolute contradictory self-identity'?
A) Logical paradox
B) Unity of opposites
C) Moral dilemma
D) Psychological conflict
- 12. How does Nishida view artistic creation?
A) As emotional outlet
B) As imitation of nature
C) As expression of pure experience
D) As social commentary
- 13. What is the relationship between knowledge and reality in Nishida's philosophy?
A) They are unrelated
B) They are identical
C) Knowledge arises from reality
D) Reality is constructed by knowledge
- 14. How does Nishida characterize time?
A) As human construct
B) As self-determination of eternal now
C) As linear progression
D) As cyclical repetition
- 15. What is the role of will in Nishida's ethics?
A) Moral decision-making
B) Expression of true self
C) Control over desires
D) Social obligation
- 16. What is the role of negation in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Psychological defense
B) Logical operation
C) Moral prohibition
D) Path to deeper reality
- 17. How does Nishida characterize freedom?
A) Absence of constraints
B) Political rights
C) Self-determination of absolute
D) Individual choice
- 18. Nishida's concept of 'jikaku' refers to:
A) Social harmony
B) Aesthetic appreciation
C) Moral duty
D) Self-awareness
- 19. What year was 'An Inquiry Into The Good' first published?
A) 1920
B) 1905
C) 1935
D) 1911
- 20. What Western philosopher's work significantly influenced Nishida?
A) Friedrich Nietzsche
B) Immanuel Kant
C) William James
D) John Locke
- 21. What university was Nishida Kitarō associated with for most of his career?
A) Kyoto University
B) Tokyo University
C) Osaka University
D) Tohoku University
- 22. Nishida's philosophical school is commonly known as:
A) The Kyoto School
B) The Modernist School
C) The Tokyo School
D) The Zen School
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