In November last year, I took part in the second Seminar of Japanese Philosophy organized by the Program of Asian and African Studies (PUEAA) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) – and it was great! Five days, packed to the brim with thought-provoking presentations and stimulating discussions.
It was a well-balanced mix of established and early- and mid-career scholars, covering topics ranging from Nishida and Tanabe to feminism and environmental ethics. We glossed over self, nature, body, mind and so many other topics; we talked in the auditorium, over dinner, over coffee, over drinks, and during long walks across the gigantic UNAM campus; we discussed books and workshops and new research projects. For five days, we were immersed in a primordial philosophical bouillon, out of which – hopefully – great things will crystallize.
For that, we owe a huge thank you to Rebeca Maldonado, the organizer, and to her dedicated team. They worked so hard to make this possible, and they did an excellent job. Oh, and the audience! So attentive, so dedicated, so active… Even after three two-hour long lectures, they still had the zest and enthusiasm to ask insightful questions, to challenge us, and to engage in fruitful debates. Hats off to them!
The UNAM team recorded our presentations, so here is mine. I talked about how we can find insights into environmental ethics in Andō Shōeki’s philosophy and I tried to explain the concept of “self-with-others”.