- 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) Wabi-Sabi
C) Kokoro
D) Bushidō
- 2. Nishida Kitarō's philosophy in 'An Inquiry Into The Good' is primarily concerned with what fundamental concept?
A) Pure experience
B) Aesthetic beauty
C) Political ethics
D) Scientific method
- 3. What philosophical tradition heavily influenced Nishida's work?
A) Ancient Greek philosophy
B) Zen Buddhism
C) British empiricism
D) Existentialism
- 4. What does Nishida mean by 'pure experience'?
A) Religious ecstasy
B) Scientific experimentation
C) Experience before subject-object differentiation
D) Aesthetic appreciation
- 5. What is the relationship between religion and philosophy in Nishida's view?
A) Philosophy disproves religion
B) They converge in ultimate reality
C) Religion supersedes philosophy
D) They are completely separate
- 6. How does Nishida define 'the good'?
A) Serving society
B) Achieving happiness
C) Following moral rules
D) Realization of one's true nature
- 7. What is the significance of 'acting-intuition' in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Moral intuition
B) Artistic inspiration
C) Scientific intuition
D) Unity of action and perception
- 8. What is the role of contradiction in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Only apparent
B) A logical error
C) Essential to reality
D) To be eliminated
- 9. What is Nishida's view on the mind-body problem?
A) They are unified in pure experience
B) Body determines mind
C) They are separate substances
D) Mind controls body
- 10. How does Nishida approach the concept of God?
A) As social construct
B) As personal deity
C) As first cause
D) As absolute nothingness
- 11. What is the significance of 'absolute contradictory self-identity'?
A) Psychological conflict
B) Unity of opposites
C) Moral dilemma
D) Logical paradox
- 12. How does Nishida view artistic creation?
A) As imitation of nature
B) As expression of pure experience
C) As emotional outlet
D) As social commentary
- 13. What is the relationship between knowledge and reality in Nishida's philosophy?
A) They are identical
B) Knowledge arises from reality
C) Reality is constructed by knowledge
D) They are unrelated
- 14. How does Nishida characterize time?
A) As self-determination of eternal now
B) As linear progression
C) As cyclical repetition
D) As human construct
- 15. What is the role of will in Nishida's ethics?
A) Control over desires
B) Moral decision-making
C) Expression of true self
D) Social obligation
- 16. What is the role of negation in Nishida's philosophy?
A) Logical operation
B) Moral prohibition
C) Psychological defense
D) Path to deeper reality
- 17. How does Nishida characterize freedom?
A) Self-determination of absolute
B) Absence of constraints
C) Political rights
D) Individual choice
- 18. Nishida's concept of 'jikaku' refers to:
A) Social harmony
B) Self-awareness
C) Moral duty
D) Aesthetic appreciation
- 19. What year was 'An Inquiry Into The Good' first published?
A) 1920
B) 1911
C) 1905
D) 1935
- 20. What Western philosopher's work significantly influenced Nishida?
A) John Locke
B) Friedrich Nietzsche
C) William James
D) Immanuel Kant
- 21. What university was Nishida Kitarō associated with for most of his career?
A) Tokyo University
B) Kyoto University
C) Osaka University
D) Tohoku University
- 22. Nishida's philosophical school is commonly known as:
A) The Modernist School
B) The Tokyo School
C) The Kyoto School
D) The Zen School
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