Work

Empty education: a dialogue of Nishitani and Rancière

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this article, we study the educational views of two philosophers from two different intellectual traditions: those of the East and West. We aim to explore comparative philosophy, a method intrinsic to the Kyoto School, as a practice, using it to engage the ideas of Nishitani Keiji and Jacques Rancière in dialogue. This dialogue takes place between Nishitani’s concept of emptiness and Rancière’s concept of equality. Taking inspiration from what Anton Luis Sevilla has termed ‘negative education’, we propose an alternative philosophy of education: empty education. To develop our new concept, we examine the importance of emptiness and equality in education, focusing on the fruitful and emancipatory encounters they promote. We contend that a reciprocal relationship between the I and the Thou is essential for bypassing the unequal relations and stultifying processes found in education.

Source: Journal of Philosophy of Education

DOI: 10.1093/jopedu/qhaf007

Authors: Anttoni E A Kuusela, Sari Hietamäki

Institution: University of Jyväskylä

Language: English

Topic: Critical Theory and Political Philosophy

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,600