In Search of a Better 'Righteousness'

Once you enroll in the Faculty of Law, it is a matter of course that you will study specialized subjects related to law and politics. However, there are many other classes as well. Literature, philosophy, art, physics, astronomy... Young people may not understand why they have to learn so many things. However, this is the way it is because veterans of life have long thought, 'You really do need to know a variety of things.' It is like savings or insurance; you never know when you will need it, but one day, you will keenly feel, 'Ah, I'm glad I studied that.' Or, even if you don't feel it keenly, it is enriching your intellect and thinking without you even realizing it.

Until now, you have all likely been taught that it is important to think and express yourselves logically. But at university, you must go beyond that. Regarding a single problem, you can construct various lines of reasoning—this logic, that logic, and so on. Which of them is better, or even the best? To make that judgment, you need the ability and imagination to think from various perspectives. Acquiring as many perspectives as possible—that is the important meaning of studying various genres at university, and that is what is meant by a 'liberal arts education.'

If you continue to argue from a single perspective, there is a danger of becoming a kind of fanatic. You must not be stubborn and decide, 'This is just how it is.' In the world of academia, 'truth' is constantly being updated. The ideas of even the most brilliant scholars are frequently overturned in the next era. We who live in a modern age where absolute standards of value judgment like God or kings have been denied have no choice but to remain aware that 'this "righteousness" is also a relative thing that may one day be denied.'

In my classes, we read various literary works, but there is always the possibility that unexpected interpretations of famous works will emerge. For example, *I Am a Cat* or *Kokoro*, which you may have read, are actually... Kafka's *The Metamorphosis* is considered an incomprehensible and absurd work, but no, in reality, it is incredibly realistic... Camus's *The Stranger* is a wonderful work, but it reveals discrimination that even the author was not conscious of... The reason the protagonist of Hesse's *Beneath the Wheel* ended up that way is... I will talk about what I understand. It should be interesting. However, perhaps it is you who will come up with a newer interpretation, a newer 'righteousness,' in the midst of our discussion.