An Inquiry into the Good

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Kitaro Nishida; Translated by Masao Abe and Christopher Ives

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An Inquiry into the Good represented the foundation of Nishida’s philosophy—reflecting both his deep study of Zen Buddhism and his thorough analysis of Western philosophy—and established its author as the foremost Japanese philosopher of this century. In this important new translation, two scholars—one Japanese and one American—have worked together to present a lucid and accurate rendition of Nishida’s ideas.

"The translators do an admirable job of adhering to the cadence of the original while avoiding unidiomatic, verbatim constructions."—John C. Maraldo, Philosophy East and West

"More accurate and critical than the first translation into English of Nishida's earliest book. . . . An important addition to library collections of twentieth-century philosophy, Japanese intellectual history, and contemporary Buddhist thought."—Choice

"A welcome new translation of a work by probably the most original and influential of modern Japanese philosophers."—Hidé Ishiguro, Times Literary Supplement

"Undoubtedly the most important work for anyone in the West interested in understanding modern Japanese thought. This work premiered Japanese philosophy as modern but has also shown unusual staying power. In the late twentieth century Japanese thinkers, both religious and secular, insist on its importance and relevance."—William R. La Fleur, University of Pennsylvania

"Undoubtedly the most important work for anyone in the West interested in understanding modern Japanese thought. This work premiered Japanese philosophy as modern but has also shown unusual staying power. In the late twentieth century Japanese thinkers, both religious and secular, insist on its importance and relevance."—William R. La Fleur, University of Pennsylvania

"Fortunately for Nishida scholarship, a new translation of Zen no kenkyu by Masao Abe and Christopher Ives will soon be published by Yale University Press. . . . It takes accuracy seriously as a matter of style as well as terminology. . . . the translators do an admirable job of adhering to the cadence of the original while avoiding unidiomatic, verbatim constructions."—John C. Maraldo, Philosophy East and West

"A welcome new translation of a work by probably the most original and influential of modern Japanese philosophers."—Hidé Ishiguro, Times Literary Supplement

"A passionate testimony of Nishida’s fundamental religio-philosophical confession. . . . The reproduction of Nishida’s calligraphy on the cover is most attractive."—Michiko Yusa, Monumenta Nipponica

"In the relatively short space of 184 pages Nishida develops an original and comprehensive account of reality, morality, and religion by appeal to the concept of pure experience with an economy of effort that few could equal, and a style that is uniquely distinctive. It has long been justly famous in Japan and, now that it has been translated, should become equally well known in English speaking countries. The translators are to be warmly congratulated for making the Inquiry available in such a readable form."—David Holdcroft, Japan Forum

"It is nothing short of an achievement that this significant publication of Japanese philosophy is now available in a sophisticated, well reflected English translation. . . . [This] publication is more than a milestone in historic, academic development. Persons who are convinced that an encounter East-West in depth still is crucially important, will find the reading of Nishida Kitaro: An Inquiry into the Good definitely worth the effort. For such readers, the book will, in addition, provide nothing short of a thrilling experience."—Aasulv Lande, Acta Orientalia

"Nishida Kitaro . . . is recognized as Japan’s pre-eminent modern philosopher, and this new translation of his earliest book is an important event. . . . This new edition makes Nishida’s best known book available again in an exceptionally accessible, accurate, and readable translation."—Robert E. Carter, Canadian Philosophical Review

"Required reading for anyone who is interested in modern Japanese philosophy and is suggested reading . . . for those individuals who are interested in obtaining a true understanding of Zen from one who lived it."—Leslie D. Alldritt, Journal of Ecumenical Studies

"In an excellent English translation, this volume introduces the reader to the very foundation of Nishida’s philosophy. . . . An Inquiry into the Good presents a lucid rendition of Nishida’s ideas and will remain an important addition to library collections of twentieth-century philosophy both East and West."—Delwin Byron Schneider, Dialogue & Alliance

ISBN: 9780300052336
Publication Date: January 29, 1992

218 pages, 5 3/8 x 9

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