In addition to my work on Early Modern Philosophy and Spinoza, I have long engaged with Japanese intellectual history and a wide range of non-Western philosophical traditions. My philosophical journey began in high school, when I encountered the writings of Zhuang-zi (荘子) and Lao-zi (老子) in a Japanese language class. These classical texts, rendered into Japanese through traditional techniques, struck me as both profound and mysterious. I pursued them independently, reading modern Japanese translations repeatedly, and they sparked a lifelong interest in philosophy.
Following this early exposure, I explored Western philosophy through available introductory texts, which often emphasized Kant’s historical significance. This led me to teach myself German in order to read Kant’s works in the original language, even while preparing for university entrance exams. Yet, while I appreciated Kant, I found my philosophical inclinations remained drawn to Taoist and Upanishadic thought (especially the Advaita interpretations of the Upanishads). This interest naturally extended to Indology, Buddhist studies, and Sanskrit literature.
Despite my attraction to non-Western philosophies, I recognized the importance of grounding my work in the Western intellectual tradition. I wanted to engage rigorously with the history of philosophy itself, not merely through a comparative lens. This motivated me to study philosophy in the United Kingdom, where I pursued my first degree. English was my strongest non-native language, and the UK offered both a new cultural environment and a distinct approach to the history of philosophy. I was particularly impressed by how British scholars integrated historical study with contemporary analytic debates, providing insights that differed from my previous exposure in Japan. Spinoza, in particular, emerged as an iconoclastic figure whose work could be articulated in dialogue with modern analytic metaphysics.
Over the past eight years, I have focused intensively on Spinoza, while maintaining a deep engagement with Eastern philosophical traditions. My early encounters with Taoism and the Upanishads continue to inspire my work, providing perspectives that inform and challenge my study of Western philosophy. While I have committed to understanding analytic philosophy and the history of western philosophy on their own rigorous terms, I regard non-Western thought not as a mere supplement, but as a continual source of insight that informs and challenges my study of philosophy.
À propos, je prends plaisir à lire la littérature française, des auteurs classiques aux romanciers contemporains tels qu’Amélie Nothomb. De temps en temps, j'essaie de lire Descartes et d'autres philosophes francophones en français aussi, mais malheureusement ça ne m'aide pas beaucoup. Quel dommage.