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wellbeing
In recent years, the term ‘wellbeing’ has become commonplace. The term does not simply refer to a state of well-being (where people are in good physical, mental and social condition), but also to a more positive sense of fulfilment, satisfaction and self-fulfilment.
wired vol32 digital well-being
There are many theories of happiness, such as those described in ‘Alan’s Theory of Happiness and Zen Awareness’, but in order to live a happy life, the term ‘wellbeing’ is more appropriate, rather than a special state of happiness.
This can also be seen as a way of life to gain mental stability by becoming aware of something absolute and paying attention to things as they are, as described in ‘Zen, Metacognition and AI’.
Concept of happiness and goodness
Even with regard to the concept of good, which is in fact an important condition for a state of well-being, it differs in different situations, as shown below.
- Evil is understood as acts that undermine the well-being and welfare of others. And the concept of ‘good’, as described in ‘Kitaro Nishida’s “Study of Good”’, is seen as an antonym to ‘evil’, where good refers to socially or personally good deeds, right actions and ethically superior choices, and evil is defined as the opposite, ethically unjust, malicious actions and consequences. defined as meaning an action or outcome that is ethically unjust or malicious. This simple dichotomy can be found in various cultures and philosophies, but the specific definitions and criteria often differ.
- For example, from a religious perspective, ‘good’ in Christianity, as described in ‘Christianity, the Bible and Related Writings’, is a concept centred on a relationship with God, where good is based on obedience to God’s will. In Christianity, God is good itself, and doing God’s teachings and will is considered a good deed. In addition, the teaching of Jesus Christ, ‘love your neighbour and love your enemy’ (Matthew 5:44) is particularly emphasised as an act of goodness. Goodness in Christianity is not merely moral behaviour, but becomes rooted in a deep spiritual relationship and faith with God, and its central purpose is to show God’s love to the world through love and service to others.
- In Buddhism, which is described in ‘On Buddhism, Scripture and Mahayana Sects’, good is defined as actions that ‘decrease suffering and increase ease’. Evil, on the other hand, is defined as actions that ‘increase suffering and decrease ease’. The basis of goodness in Buddhism lies in compassion, which includes two elements: compassion, which wishes for the well-being of others, and grief, which seeks to eliminate the suffering of others. Thus, goodness in Buddhism goes beyond mere normative morality towards final enlightenment through purification of the mind and service to others, which is a profound philosophical and practical teaching that simultaneously aims for individual benefit and social harmony.
- From a philosophical perspective, Socrates, in his ‘What is Philosophy from the Special Lecture “Socrates” Defence’’, believes that good is “knowledge” and that by having wisdom we can do right, and that acting without knowing good and evil is evil, and that if we know good we will follow it. Kant also held that there is a common moral standard for all people as morality, and that goodness lies in the will to obey universal moral laws. Jeremy Bentham proposed that goodness is defined as the maximisation of pleasure or happiness, and that a good act is one that reduces suffering and increases pleasure.
Proof of happiness and the philosophy of Takahiro Nakajima.
As described in ‘Scientific Thinking (3) Confirmation Bypass and Quadrant Table’, it is known that in order to prove a hypothesis (e.g. whether or not a person is happy), it is absolutely impossible to reach the answer by simply listing the correct answers (the happy states that apply to the hypothesis). It is known that the degree of certainty increases and becomes verifiable by listing counterexamples (non-happy states).
From this perspective, Japanese philosopher Takahiro Nakajima, who is active in the fields of Chinese philosophy, ethics and history of ideas, has studied ancient Chinese thought, such as the ‘Gengzi’ mentioned in ‘The Lawyers and Confucians – Order and Freedom’, ‘Laozi’ mentioned in ‘Thinking about Artificial Intelligence Technology from the Tao’ and ‘The Tao of Confucius’. The book also re-evaluates Confucian and Taoist philosophy from a modern perspective, focusing on the ideas of Confucius as described in ‘Confucius’ Analects: A Comprehensive Book of Anthropology’, and in particular the Chinese philosophical approach to the theme of “evil”, in order to clarify the goodness and happiness of human beings living a happy life. It attempts to clarify the goodness and happiness in which people can live happily.
From AMAZON Book Reviews ‘Can the evils of this world be wiped out if each individual changes his or her conduct? When natural disasters strike and many people suffer, is there no problem of evil there? Ancient Chinese thinkers such as Confucius, Mencius, Zhuangzi and Jingzi have confronted and wrestled with the problem of evil, drawing out its possibilities and limitations. This book is a philosophical treatise that explores ways of confronting evil, accepting its cruelty and overcoming it.’
Well-being and the philosophy of Takahiro Nakajima
Let us now consider the relevance of Takahiro Nakajima’s philosophy to wellbeing, a concept that encompasses happiness and health.
The following points can be identified as areas of interest for Takahiro Nakajima
- Multiplicity and co-existence: Nakajima seeks conditions in which different perspectives can co-exist in contemporary society, where diverse values and cultures intersect. This ‘multiplicity’ is connected to the perspective that wellbeing respects the diversity of individual views of well-being.
- Middle-of-the-road thinking: avoiding extremes and striking a balance are at the heart of Nakajima’s philosophy. This is also in line with the basic principles of wellbeing, which seeks physical and spiritual harmony.
- Question of the ethical subject: his argument emphasises how humans should co-exist with others and behave as ethical subjects. This perspective relates to the ethical aspect that wellbeing takes into account not only the well-being of the individual, but also the well-being of society as a whole.
This perspective may have the following implications for the concept of wellbeing
- Importance of a holistic approach: Nakajima’s philosophy emphasises the need to consider individual well-being in its interrelationship with society and the environment. This concept suggests that wellbeing is not just about ‘pleasure’, but includes sustainability and community well-being.
- Respect for cultural diversity: wellbeing requires respect for the definitions of wellbeing in different cultures and societies, and Nakajima’s attempt to apply the wisdom of East Asian philosophy to the present day contributes to promoting wellbeing that includes multicultural perspectives.
- Mutual understanding through dialogue: Nakashima’s philosophy emphasises building common understanding between people with different values through dialogue. Dialogue and collaboration between individuals and groups is essential when considering wellbeing, and his philosophy provides this foundation.
Examples of applications of the implications of Takahiro Nakajima’s philosophy for wellbeing could include
- Application in education: his philosophy provides a useful perspective for multicultural and ethical education. This is an important pillar in educational programmes that promote wellbeing, where the ideas of diversity and harmony are important.
- Application in policy making: in policies aimed at health and well-being, Nakajima’s philosophy suggests that ‘harmony and dialogue’ can be useful as a means of overcoming social divisions.
- Individual self-realisation: Nakajima’s emphasis on middle-of-the-road thinking avoids excessive competition and extreme goal-setting, and promotes a lifestyle in which the well-being of self and others are pursued together.
The ‘plurality’ and ‘co-existence’ at the heart of Takahiro Nakajima’s philosophy will deepen our understanding of the multiple dimensions of wellbeing and help society as a whole in its pursuit of happiness.
参考図書
Relevant reference books are discussed below.
Well-being-related.
1. ‘Well-Being: The Foundations of Hedonic Psychology’ (Daniel Kahneman, Ed Diener, and Norbert Schwarz).
An important academic book that examines happiness and wellbeing from a psychological perspective.
2. ‘The Art of Happiness’ (Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler)
Insights on happiness and wellbeing based on Buddhist thought.
3. ‘Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being’ (Martin Seligman).
Explores wellbeing from a positive psychology perspective.
Related to Takahiro Nakajima.
1. ‘Philosophy as Translation and the Understanding of Other Cultures’ (Ryutaro Uchiyama, ed., Columbia University Press).
A collection of essays focusing on Eastern philosophy and comparative thought related to Nakajima’s philosophy. 2.
2. ‘’.
(A literature dealing with the dialogue between Eastern and Western philosophy as a background for understanding Nakajima’s philosophy.
Eastern philosophy and comparative thought.
1. ‘The Tao of Philosophy’ (Alan Watts).
Philosophical insights based on Eastern thought, especially Taoism and Buddhism.
2. ‘Confucian Ethics in Western Discourse’ (Sor-hoon Tan)
Reinterpretation of Confucian ethics from a contemporary perspective and comparison with Western philosophy.
3. ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ (Robert M. Pirsig).
A famous book that combines Eastern and Western philosophy and discusses wellbeing as a philosophy of life.
Comparative philosophy and multicultural conviviality
1. ‘The Writings of Nishida Kitaro’ (Kitaro Nishida, translated by Masao Abe).
Provides a modern perspective on Japanese philosophy and is useful for a deeper understanding of the background to Nakajima’s thought.
2. ‘Comparative Philosophy and the Philosophy of Scholarship’ (Bryan W. Van Norden).
Explains the methodology and significance of comparative philosophy.
3. ‘Global Ethics and Global Common Goods’ (Patricia Illingworth and Thomas Pogge)
Explores the philosophical foundations of multiculturalism and wellbeing.
Buddhism and Ethics.
1. ‘Buddhist Ethics: A Philosophical Exploration’ (Damien Keown).
A comprehensive academic book on Buddhist ethics.
2. ‘Mindfulness in Plain English’ (Bhante Gunaratana).
Explains how Buddhist meditation and ethical practices contribute to wellbeing.
3. ‘The Middle Way: Faith Grounded in Reason’ (Dalai Lama).
Rethinks the central teachings of Buddhist philosophy in the context of contemporary society.
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