Contemporary Japanese Philosophy: A Reader

Product Description


Contemporary Japanese Philosophy: A Reader is an anthology of contemporary (post-war) Japanese philosophy showcasing a range of important philosophers and philosophical trends from 1945 to the present. This important and comprehensive volume introduces the reader to a variety of trends and schools of thought. The first part consists of selections and excerpts of writings from contemporary Japanese philosophers who have made original contributions to Japanese philosophy and promise contributions to world philosophy. Most of these selections appear in English for the first time. The second part consists of original essays written for this volume by scholars in Japanese philosophy on specific trends and tendencies of contemporary Japanese philosophy, such as feminist philosophy, the Kyoto School, and environmental philosophy, as well as future directions the field is likely to take. Ideal for classroom use, this is the ultimate resource for students and teachers of Japanese philosophy.


Review


Among the growing body of literature on Japanese philosophy, this anthology is an important addition which gives a voice to less-studied authors who deserve attention. John Krummel’s excellent translations make these authors intelligible for a wider audience. As this collection shows, Japanese philosophy is richer and more complex than Kyôto School philosophy. -- Hans-Peter Liederbach, Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University


This collection presents eloquent translations of essays by ten leading contemporary philosophers rarely considered together, and allows us to engage a broad range of recent philosophical activity in Japan. Its comprehensive introduction offers clear entry to the entire field as well as to each represented thinker, and three more essays survey feminist thought, the postwar Kyoto School, and other philosophical trends. -- John C. Maraldo, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of North FloridaJapanese philosophy currently occupies an important place in world philosophy. This book introduces texts written in the second half of the 20th century, thus closing a very important gap in Western literature. Contemporary Japanese Philosophy is an essential source for understanding philosophical tendencies in the last 50 years in Japan. -- Rolf Elberfeld, Professor of Philosophy, University of HildesheimKrummel has made available the translations of ten original thinkers and three leading scholars from the discipline of contemporary Japanese philosophy. His translation demonstrates tremendous judicious fairness to each original work such that readers should be able to feel the stylistic differences of the authors. This polyvocal book has laid a foundation for future research projects in relation to the works of these Japanese philosophers. -- Takeshi Morisato, Researcher in the Department of Philosophy, Sun Yat-Sen University, ChinaA leading scholar from a new generation specializing in the booming field of Japanese philosophy, John Krummel has assembled an outstanding collection of essays by contemporary philosophers. Although all are admired in Japan as among their country’s most seminal thinkers, until now many have been less known to the West because of the paucity of their writings in translation. -- Thomas P. Kasulis, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Studies, Ohio State University, USA


About the Author


John W.M. Krummel is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He is Assistant Editor of the Journal of Japanese Philosophy, Editor of Social Imaginaries and President of the International Association of Japanese Philosophy.