A paper by Professor Takao Ito of Soka University’s Faculty of Letters, titled “Kantian Framework in Schopenhauer's Ethics: Rights, Justice, Compassion, and Asceticism,” was introduced in the 101st issue of Germany’s academic magazine, Schopenhauer Yearbook.

 

Schopenhauer Yearbook is a traditional, international, and philosophical magazine and was established in 1912 by philosopher Paul Deussen. This issue carries a featured article on a session held in 2018 in Beijing at the World Congress of Philosophy titled, “200^th Anniversary Commemorating Schopenhauer’s ‘The World as Will and Representation’–Compassion and Humanity,” and the paper by Professor Ito is introduced in the article.

 

In the paper, Professor Ito clarifies Kant’s philosophical framework behind the main ideas of Arthur Schopenhauer’s ethical studies and examines the difference of views between Kant and Schopenhauer on the ethical appraisal of “compassion.”

 

Professor Ito shared: “The portion where I discuss the diverse possibilities of Kant’s interpretation reflects the outcome of discussions that unfolded during Soka University’s class exercises in the academic year 2016, as I indicated in the notes. As a researcher, there is much to learn from the fresh ideas and active discussions of students. I would like to continue to hold classes where students can reveal their intellectual potential.”

 

Website of Schopenhauer Yearbook by the Schopenhauer Society (international)

 

Faculty information

Takao Ito

Field of specialty 

Philosophy/Ethics, History of thought

Research theme

Germany’s modern ideas/theory of social contracts/history of spiritual culture