The “Place” of Language in Nishida’s Kitarō’s Philosophy
Connecting Nishida’s Concept of Basho and Language
When one considers Nishida Kitarō’s philosophy, one does not usually consider language. Generally, he is seen as trying to create a new kind of metaphysics and epistemology, one that blends together the Eastern and Western philosophical traditions while not favoring one over the other.
Yet the absence of a discussion of Nishida’s view of language is remarkable given the long history in both Eastern and Western philosophies discussing language and its role in relation to other aspects of philosophy — such as metaphysics and ethics.
In this essay, I consider Nishida’s view of language as described in Expressive Activity (Hyōgen sayō 表現作用) as a form of expressive activity. I then consider a possible implication of such a view for Nishida’s philosophy of place (basho 場所). I will do this by:
- Looking at several key passages of Expressive Activity in which Nishida discusses language in order to construct as complete a picture as possible of Nishida’s view of language.
- Apply this working picture of language to his concept of basho.
