IRISE organized a lecture titled “Neo-Kantian Philosophy of Values and Public Philosophy— Makiguchi, Nitobe, and Nambara on Happiness and Peace”
On June 1, 2026, we organized a lecture as part of the Soka Education course.
Title: Neo-Kantian Philosophy of Values and Public Philosophy— Makiguchi, Nitobe, and Nambara on Happiness and Peace”
Lecturer: Prof. Masaya Kobayashi, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Chiba University
Venue: S201, Soka University
The neo-Kantian philosophy of values, which had a profound influence on the formation of modern Japanese thought, served as the foundation for various discussions on education, culture, and peace from the late Meiji period to the Taisho period. For this lecture, we welcomed political scientist Masaya Kobayashi, a professor at the Chiba University Graduate School. Based on his specialization in Neo-Kantian philosophy of values, he drew on the thought of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, Inazo Nitobe, and Shigeru Nambara to re-examine “happiness” and “peace” from the perspective of public philosophy. Furthermore, he explored the possibilities of value creation and public interest in contemporary society.
Professor Kobayashi spoke on the importance of communitarianism, a philosophy that prioritizes the common good of a community rather than just individual freedom. He emphasized that Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's Theory of Value, which directly connects value creation to happiness, is now supported by the latest indicators in well-being research.
He also explored how this philosophical background reflects modern political ideals and active peacebuilding efforts. In doing so, he provided multi-layered guidance for achieving human happiness and peace, making the lecture a truly wonderful learning experience. Besides a Q&A session during class, a separate Q&A session was held for the attendees after the class as well.
After the lecture, Prof. Kobayashi had a short discussion with Soka University Chairperson Mr. Akiya and President Suzuki.
Student Voices:
- Student 1
It was striking to learn that value can be scientifically proven. I now understand that public philosophy places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity, practicality, and dialogue, serving as a widely shared framework that guides both human action and public policy.
- Student 2
It was fascinating to learn how a lack of well-being can fuel the rise of populism. I felt that it is important to understand the causes of this decline and consider how we can nurture human spirituality. Another key takeaway for me was how to avoid self-sacrifice; we need to live a balanced, moderate life that cares for both ourselves and others, consciously fostering a virtuous cycle by connecting with positive, value-driven communities.
- Student 3
Positive psychology strikes me as a really interesting discipline. Professor Kobayashi explained that altruism boosts happiness, whereas self-sacrifice lowers it, emphasizing the importance of finding a balance between the two. It was also fascinating to learn that happy people are able to pass their happiness on to others. I was able to gain a whole new perspective today.
