Maria Majorie R. Purino
This article is a comparative study between Heidegger's essential query in What is Called Thinking and Zen's Non-rationality. It takes its cue from Heidegger's pronouncement in What is Called Thinking that the most thought-provoking thing is that we are still not thinking. This article claims that bereft thinking, a product of our technological age, brings about the collapse of our essence, instead of ushering in authentic existence. In the process, we revisit Heidegger's question of Being that will ultimately lead us to the examination of the distinction between calculative and meditative thinking. The idea of thinking as a form of thanking-that is, a kind of thinking infused with thankfulness-is also highlighted as meditative thinking. Essential principles in Zen such as the koan is discussed to point out Zen's non-rationality, which frowns upon purely logical, discursive, pragmatic, and calculative thinking. This article claims that bereft thinking can be eliminated by taking the stance of meditative thinking and applying Zen's non-rationality. Hence, philosophy remains important as it allows us to challenge our current ways of thinking. © 2020 Maria Majorie R. Purino.
Department of Philosophy, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines
