| This study explores the nature of the problem of nihilism in our age and searches for an ethical and educational response to the problem. This response lies in articulating an account of the ideal self and elucidating a form of education through which such a self can be realized. This involves a reconstruction of the philosophy of Nishitani Keiji in dialogue with that of Friedrich Nietzsche.; Nishitani argues that we encounter nihilism when we are separated from the world. He claims that we must overcome nihilism by breaking through the field of consciousness (the locus of the separation of subject and object) and the field of nihility or the Great Doubt (the radicalization of the separation between subject and object). The latter is a prerequisite to reaching the field of emptiness where the separation from the world is finally overcome.; In our age, many are unaware of the reality of nihilism. Consequently, I contend that we must inquire not only into how to reach the field of emptiness but also into how to realize the field of nihility. Although Nishitani utilizes the field of nihility as a springboard to realizing the field of emptiness, he does not clearly show us how to realize the field of nihility or nihilism. Nietzsche's project of the reevaluation of values seems more effective for enabling us to realize nihilism. This study, therefore, proposes a new solution to the problem of nihilism based on Nishitani's ideas, while incorporating those of Nietzsche.; I suggest two forms of education: first, reevaluating life through critical reflection to realize the field of nihility; and, second, being exposed to various aesthetic experiences and attuning to the world in order to realize the field of emptiness. Here, it is maintained that different levels of the fields of nihility and emptiness exist, and that an educational endeavor that assists one in realizing either field should synergistically support the attainment of the other. Thus, these are integral aspects of a single educational endeavor whose aim is the continual and thorough overcoming of nihilism. |
