The Logic of Mediation: “Absolute Mediation” and “Logic of Species” in Tanabe’s Philosophy

Abstract

At the beginning of the twentieth century, academic philosophy in Japan got its start by simultaneously devoting great attention to the original work of Kitarō Nishida while also eagerly working to understand the contemporary European philosophy of the early twentieth century. Hajime Tanabe, Nishida’s first disciple, was initially absorbed in his studies on Hegel’s philosophy. However, as time passed, he eventually expanded the field of his work to the phenomena of mediation itself and attempted to work out an “absolute dialectical” system of his own. This work on mediation developed into his so-called “Logic of Species (種の論理),” which was also influenced by Heidegger’s interpretation of Kant. The Logic of Species refers specifically to his unique social-historical theory, which attempted to explain the human being as subject and substance, as well as the nature of the relationship between individual and genus in their constant mutual movement. According to Tanabe, the species is not merely a logical unit which is posited as the middle term between individual and genus. It is rather a dynamic and creative movement which must itself be mediated, synthetically and negatively ad infinitum, making it too subject to the rule of absolute dialectics. From a social viewpoint, this genetic process of the species is considered with respect to the question of how one can explain the mutually coexisting plurality that is human existence. This is specifically framed in contrast to the rigid social structure of nationalism or the laissez-faire mentality of liberalism. Absolute mediation, as Tanabe used the term, intended to explain the innovative discourse that occurs between the individual and her society when she is faced with the social issues of her contemporary environment. In this contribution, then, we shall trace the process that led to the establishment of the Logic of Species alongside the development of Tanabe’s philosophy. While doing so, we will also consider the significance that his philosophy can have in a modern context.