1885 – 1962
Tanabe Hajime (1885–1962) was a leading figure of the Kyoto School and one of Japan's most systematic modern philosophers. He developed the 'Logic of Species' (shu no ronri) as a triadic mediation between individual, species, and genus, and later underwent a profound philosophical self-criticism in 'Philosophy as Metanoetics' (1946), confessing his complicity with wartime nationalism. His work bridges Western German Idealism and Japanese Buddhist thought while engaging critically with his mentor Nishida Kitarō.
Developed the Logic of Species (shu no ronri), a dialectical framework mediating individual, nation, and universal
Authored Philosophy as Metanoetics (1946), a landmark work of philosophical self-critique and tariki (other-power) ethics
Introduced and systematized Hegelian dialectics within Japanese philosophical discourse
Mounted a sustained internal critique of Nishida Kitarō's concept of Pure Experience and Absolute Nothingness
Influenced post-war Japanese philosophy through his integration of Christian kenosis and Buddhist repentance