In the 20th century, Japanese philosophers active at the University of Kyoto combined a Western approach to ‘doing’ philosophy with their own native concepts and ideas. There arose a Kyoto School, in which, of all things, ‘nothingness’ was a central concept.
Nothingness in the West usually has a negative connotation. It’s empty, meaningless, scary, and generally not something we like to think about. Not so for the Kyoto school. In their context, nothingness and emptiness take on a much deeper and balanced meaning. And not just intellectually, but experientially; it’s something everyone can experience.
In fact, over the past two years of covid lockdowns and quarantines, you yourself may have experienced more “nothingness” than you’d bargained for. What can Japanese philosophy teach you about these moments and their deeper meaning? Join us and find out!
