A pioneering philosophical exploration, this volume seeks to clarify the function of climate as a key factor within the structure of human existence. The author takes as his starting point the argument that the phenomena of climate should be treated as expressions of subjective human existence and not of natural environments. In developing his argument, Watsuji first examines the basic principles of climate and then proceeds to examine three types of climate in detail--monsoon, desert, and meadow--and their relative impacts on (...) human experience. As both a unique guide to Japan and her culture and a penetrating philosophical study, Climate and Culture will be enlightening reading for students and scholars of modern Japanese thought. (shrink)

『倫理学』と並ぶ和辻哲郎の主著。古代から近代に至る倫理思想の展開とそれを支える社会構造の変遷を、宗教から文学まで視野に収めた壮大なスケールで描き出す試みは、日本思想の通史としていまだ類例がない。戦後ま もない1952年に刊行された本著は、これ自体が近代日本の思惟の可能性と困難を照らす生きた史料である。.