SOURCE: "Sushi, Science, and Spirituality: Modern Japanese Philosophy and Its Views of Western Science," in Philosophy East & West, Vol. 45, No. 2, April, 1995, pp. 227-48.

In the following essay, Kasulis presents a contrasting picture of Japanese and Western scientific theory and practice and examines the ideas of Nishida and other Japanese philosophers regarding this difference.

Japan seems to present two profiles to the West. One is that of a Westernized nation that is a major economic power in the world. Seeing the skyscrapers of Tokyo's downtown districts, hearing Western rock or classical music even in village coffee shops, or tasting the French cuisine of its fine restaurants, it is easy for one to think of Japan as part of the Western-based family of cultures. This face of Japan seems to confirm the interpretation of Habermas and others that European rationality is dominating the world. We might be led to expect...