What We Value as a Laboratory
1 Being an open learning space for those who want to gain full-fledged (global standard) training in logic and expression, those who want to learn broadly and deeply (beyond established academic fields), and those who want to think through their own questions.
2 Through friendly competition in the laboratory, we will build a foothold for each person to live and realize a way of life that only that person can do.
3 The faculty members should support as an <exclusive coach> so that the members of the laboratory can think about their dreams and future vision and continue to strive for the goals they have set.
4 Actively participate in open places for dialogue (Café Mortal, Kazemachi Café, School for Philosophy).
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Our laboratory is a learning place for those who want to gain full-scale training in logic and expression, those who want to learn broadly and deeply (beyond established academic fields), and those who want to think through their own questions. Through friendly competition in the laboratory, I hope that you will build your own foothold for living and realize a way of life that only you can do.
The driving force comes from your wish and your own question. Constantly thinking about your wishes and growing them into questions that can be shared with others are not easy tasks. Going out all the way in search of a real encounter, asking for questions that push you from the ground up, and opening the book eagerly. Making “my question” your own will be achieved through the accumulation of these experiences.
No matter how much you go to the so-called “field”, no matter how many texts you read in the seminar, nothing happens where the words are taken carelessly. People and texts don’t talk to me. In order to listen to people’s speeches and texts, it is necessary to acquire an active attitude of listening and cultivate the ability to accept words.
The seriousness to accept words, of course, indispensable. But that’s not enough. In order to draw a question from the other person’s words, you must also ask yourself. The question evokes the question. In other words, in order to draw a question from a person or text, you have to develop “your own question” –there is a kind of cycle here. Then, what should I do to improve my own question?
The first is to use the language clearly. You can’t see the scenery well though frosted glass. Same as that, you can’t think well and the question cannot be refined as long as you use vague words. I can’t pinpoint the location of the problem. To improve your language, you need to familiarize yourself with beautiful words and elaborate sentence expressions through reading. I don’t think you’ll see much today, but if you have a narrator with a polished word, it’s a good idea to listen to it.
The second is to study broadly and get your own world map and historical map. If you walk with that map, you will be able to understand your land even in the first place and check your position. Have a broad interest and read a lot of books. Watch the movie. Get to know the world and history through news programs and the internet (English!).
Thirdly, in order to develop “your own question”, you need to acquire the ability to ask. That also can be described as a tolerance to stand in front of questions and conundrums, that do not easily come up with an answer.
If you are not satisfied with answering a ready-made question, you have no choice but to ask yourself. It can be done through words, for example by writing obscure sentences and throwing them away, or correcting them many times. If you are blessed with someone to help you with the task of asking a question, you may be able to ask a question through dialogue.
Finally, there is only practice. It does not necessarily have to be in the form of “dialogue.” It can be a debate or a heated debate. If two or more people share a question, even if it’s vague, it shouldn’t end with just exchanging information or chatting.
However, as you can see by actually trying it, it is easier to ask questions by writing than by speaking. This is because you can take time to put it into words and refine it. The task of speaking and asking questions requires more agility than the task of writing and asking questions. It can be said that it is advanced task in that degree. That is why the opportunity to ask and think while writing is important.
Based on the above perspective, the laboratory provides introductory seminars (first semester) to new members (3rd year, 1st year master’s, 1st year doctoral) in order to acquire the basic skills of reading and writing. In the Faculty of Agriculture, there are few opportunities to write full-fledged sentences, so it will be a valuable opportunity in terms of developing sentences and thoughts. However, this seminar is just an introduction. Here, it is important to get a feel for yourself and continue your voluntary training.
The late seminar is a place where you can persistently face logical and elaborate sentences, and develop resistance to what you do not understand. It is also a place where you can meet first-class polished words and ask big questions from them. If the text is in English, you will be able to take your words more seriously and examine your words and logic through translation work.
At the School for Philosophy (March, June, September, December, 1st Saturday 13: 00-17: 00), participants will philosophize through the text (Japanese language) “Kaidoku” (Tsutomu Maeda “Edo Reading Society: The Thought of Kaidoku” Heibonsha), which can be said to be a classic of philosophy. It is a place where you can get familiar with the world map and historical map of philosophy. The head of the school (Mr. Kosuke Aoki) will be in charge of creating the resume. You will be able to learn from him how to create a resume. Through careful reading of the text and discussion, words and logic will be refined and questions will be raised.
The Café Mortal (April, July, October, January, 4th Saturday 15: 00-18: 00) is a place to explore life and death through dialogue. This is an opportunity to meet and listen to the refined words of various participants. Ask your questions and put your thoughts into words in an open inquiry space where men and women of all ages gather.
The Kazemachi Cafe will start in 2022 in Matsuzaki Town, Nishiizu. The founding commemorative event will be held on March 26, 2022, and will be held regularly on Saturdays in May and November (11: 30-14: 00). At the lodge managed by a local government near Matsuzaki Port, which is a traditional port of wind waiting, you can freely talk about various “waiting for a favorable wind” of your life. After the discussion at Cafe, let’s take a walk along the beach or town, watch the sunset and enjoy the hot springs.
As you can see, the Laboratory of Philosophy provides a luxuriant learning space. That is by no means a matter of course. Only with the tireless efforts of both students and faculty members can establish a place of learning. Make full use of these learning opportunities. And please pass it on to your juniors. Please grow your own “question” greatly, develop activities commensurate with it, and send out words to become the hope of the world and the hope of humankind. I believe in your potential.
