Abstract
Abstract The aim of this thesis is to clarify the concept of pure experience in Kitarō Nishida 's Zen No Kenkyu. I first point out that Nishida’s main concern is of ‘the study of life’; hence the concept of pure experience, in essence, is not an abstract philosophical concept, but rather a concept illuminating the nature of ordinary life. It would fail to provide a complete elaboration of the very concept if we focus merely upon its ontological aspects, since studies from an ethical point of view, as I see it, is also essential. According to Nishida, pure experience is the ultimate reality of the universe, and practicing this ultimate reality （which is equivalent to practicing our （inner） true selves） is the fundamental ethical goodness. Moreover, it is acting in accord with this fundamental goodness which is the pursuit of religion. Thus from the viewpoint of pure experience, ontology, ethics, and religion are not mutually dependent, but rather interwoven. In chapter one, I study the ontology proposed by Nishida. Nishida first criticizes against Cartesian realism （dualism）, arguing for, on the other hand, his own version of mono-realism. For him, the ultimate reality is pure experience which is the genuinely independent activities （独立自全の活動）. I will elaborate Nishida’s idea of the rules of reality—the establishment of （ultimate） reality is based on ‘paradoxes’ which are dialectical in character. Moreover, Nishida does not differentiate fact from value. Hence the study of reality necessarily leads to the study of ethical theories. I consider, in chapter two, Nishida’s criticisms against various theories of value, and his own theory, i.e. a contention he calls energetism. I provide some reasons for the claim that Nishida’s energetism is in effect a kind of autonomous ethical theory. Chapter three concentrates on Nishida’s contentions on the philosophy of religion. According to Nishida, religion relies on the relationship between god and man, and he explains both the relationship between god and man and the relationship between god and the world by dint of the self-differentiating of pure experience, the ultimate reality. In chapter four, I summarize the main thesis of Zen No Kenkyu. I point out that although Nishida seldom mentions the oriental influences of his thought in his writing, I think it is reasonable to see Zen No Kenkyu as characteristically oriental.