From nihilism to Sunyata: Zen on the problem of Nietzsche's nihilism

Date of Publication

2007

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy

Subject Categories

Philosophy

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Philosophy

Thesis Adviser

Mary Laureen L. Velasco

Defense Panel Chair

Elenita dLR. Garcia

Defense Panel Member

Dante Luis P. Leoncini
Dennis D. G. Apolega

Abstract/Summary

My thesis is about Nietzshe's metaphysical and existential nihilism. In nihilism, a duality arises between non-being/nothingness and being. Due to this duality, one is caught in the standpoint of relative nothingness -a nothingness that is seen in complete opposition to being. If nothingness is seen this way, the suchness of things becomes veiled to us. As a solution to this problem, this thesis attempts to throw our prejudice when it comes to dualistic thinking so that people will be able to realize that being and non-being are actually in unison. Only through this unity will we be able to experience the suchness of things. In existential nihilism, there is a spiritual malady that I believe one has to go beyond. My solution for going beyond existential nihilism is to face it squarely, pursue it further, push it further, and see it as a turning point to be able to reach the standpoint of absolute emptiness or sunyata the standpoint of which both the yin and yang of Life is seen. One then no longer drowns in the sea of despair and angst that nihilism entails, because in the standpoint of sunyata there is no longer attachment to these paralyzing emotions. But rather these are seen as temporary things that one has to go through to experience the deepest and most pristine aspects of what it means to be human.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TU14345

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

84, [4] leaves ; ill. ; 28 cm.

Keywords

Nihilism (Philosophy); Sunyata; Zen Buddhism

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