From “addition thinking” to “subtraction thinking”

Society is at a major turning point in history, with global environmental issues as the biggest impetus. In short, it can be said that we are forced to make a major change in the paradigm that has prioritized only rationality and efficiency. In the 21st century, we are required to adopt a new attitude of ``tolerance'' and ``openness'' to accept different values ​​and ideas, as well as the search for ``common roots.'' At this huge historical turning point, CERARICA NODA would like to provide hints for a paradigm change suitable for the 21st century through the blessings of nature called `` CERARICA = Life Law''.

“Limits to growth” come into view

Modern society, which began with the Industrial Revolution in England, has at the same time accumulated material wealth and comfort, as well as an enormous amount of invisible debt. Already in 1972, the famous Club of Rome report ``The Limits to Growth'' sounded a huge alarm about the very nature of human society. However, fundamental solutions to issues such as the environment, resources, poverty, inequality, food, and population have always been postponed until the 21st century.

Toward a century of paradigm change

In a society of overproduction and overconsumption based on petroleum energy, humankind has enjoyed enormous benefits while forgetting to be grateful. Against the backdrop of ever-expanding material production and wealth from the development of financial capitalism, people have always sought a more convenient and comfortable life and envisioned a bright material future. But the resulting debt has already grown to the point that it fundamentally threatens the survival of civilized society, as Greta, the Swedish girl, demonstrated to world leaders and each of us individually. Society is at a crossroads in which it is fundamentally reconsidering the way it has behaved since the modern era.

Environmental destruction and the limits of human reason

The modern ``mechanistic way of thinking'' holds that we can understand everything in the world by thinking of nature and things as a collection of countless elements and exploring the relationships and laws between the elements. There is an overconfidence in human reason and thought in the absence of a great God-like being. It is certain that this excessive confidence in humans has brought about the development of science and the prosperity of modern civilization. However, at the same time, the same thing was the cause of irreversible destruction of the environment and sincerity.

A world view of “science is universal and efficiency is prioritized”

If we look at the world only from the perspective of its usability for humans, the nature and things that make up the environment are nothing more than physical entities represented by chemical symbols. Nature and things have been divided into small elements and have become like parts of a machine that can be created or replaced at any time. Here was the human-centered ``mechanistic paradigm'' that prioritized science and efficiency, which promoted modern society.

The idea of ​​“addition” being quantified

What has dominated the world of markets and economics has been the logic that wealth can be converted into ``numbers'' and ``quantities.'' The more human wealth is converted into monetary value, the more it is added up, the more it is compared, and the amount itself becomes valuable. However, there are also values ​​that cannot be captured by the logic of "addition." Typical examples are "nature" and "life."

“Nature” and “Life” are indivisible

Nature, life, and the entire earth maintain a dynamic order and harmony as an ecosystem. There are no boundaries that can divide anything into elements. The parts are seamlessly connected to the whole, and the whole exists simultaneously with the functions of the parts.

"Things are not just things"

Modern Western thinking, which prioritizes efficiency, is not good at focusing on the intangible "relationships" that accumulate over time and cannot be expressed in "numbers" or "quantities." People and people, people and nature, people and things. Among these various relationships are memories and thoughts of people's humble activities, gratitude for things and nature that arise because of scarcity, and ingenuity in living. Such deep thoughts and wisdom are folded into it. There is something that connects to the root of CERARICA NODA's philosophy that ``Living things are things, but they are not just things.''

Rediscovering the idea of ​​“subtraction”

Since ancient times, a culture completely different from the idea of ​​"addition" has been flowing in Japan. For example, this can be seen in the world of ``tea ceremony,'' ``ink painting,'' ``karesansui,'' and ``tanka.'' In order to convey something important, we intentionally "subtract" by eliminating excessive production and decoration. There is a unique, historically cultivated "cosmology" (worldview) that cannot be achieved through the richness of "addition."

Utilizing the potential of Japanese culture

There are limits to the pleasure that mass production and mass consumption can produce. No matter how extravagantly we decorate our lives and ourselves, that alone cannot bring us beauty and value. For example, the essence of the Japanese sensibility, which deals with themes of ``shyness,'' ``bashfulness,'' ``subtraction,'' and ``impermanence,'' can be found in expressions that pursue ``subtraction'' rather than ``addition.'' Masu. It can be said that Japanese people have originally had a sensibility to enjoy intangible beauty and depth. In the 21st century, this Japanese aesthetic sense has become increasingly important.

The golden age of oil civilization and heavy chemical industry

Postwar Japan built its modern prosperity by following the American paradigm of ``universal science and technology, prioritizing efficiency and speed.'' There was a common theme among the people, like the sunset on Third Street, of rebuilding from the ashes of the ashes and moving toward the realization of visible affluence based on the aspirational model of the affluent life filled with American goods. . At that time, America was already entering its golden age as the champion of oil civilization. American culture at the time, such as Hollywood movies and Cadillacs, fascinated the Japanese people as a symbol of affluence.

Defeat of the champion of oil civilization

In the 1970s, when Japan was at the peak of high economic growth, a major change in the times began in the United States. The biggest turning point was the Vietnam War in 1975. It was an unexpected defeat, despite dropping more bombs on tiny Vietnam than all the bombs used in the world during World War II. This defeat was a major historical event that fundamentally shook the "justice of America," that is, the confidence and legitimacy of the United States, which had enjoyed the prosperity of the oil civilization. Why was Vietnam, a small country in Asia, able to defeat the superpower America?

What lies at the source of Vietnam's strength?

According to Shingo Shibata, a former professor at Hiroshima University's Faculty of Integrated Sciences, Vietnamese culture is rooted in the ``One for All, All for One'' philosophy made famous during the Rugby World Cup. It is said that there is a philosophy of "One." In the sense that the whole (nation) and parts (individuals) are seamlessly connected, it can also be described as the Vietnamese nation as a single living entity. It was there that I discovered the source of the pride and strength of the Vietnamese people.

“Tolerance” and “open attitude” to acknowledge others

Furthermore, he points out the ``spirit of tolerance'' and ``open attitude'' as notable characteristics of Vietnamese culture. The biggest problem with communism is that throughout history, dictators have purged and massacred their political opponents by the millions or even 10 million. It can be said to be a fundamental weakness that can be called the original sin of human beings. To overcome this difficulty, for example, when criticizing someone, you should acknowledge the other person's good points, deeply study the essence of the other person, correct it to a more accurate expression, restructure it, and present it. Masu. He does not dogmatically make decisions or immediately escalate criticism to the point of denying his character or dismiss him, and he always respects the true nature of the other person. Such unique manners and philosophy were behind the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

From “fundamentalism” and “dualism” to “inclusion of diversity”

In the living world, those that cannot adapt well to environmental changes are the first to be weeded out. In the world of humans, and in the liberal democracy of Trump's America, if we continue to adhere to our own "rightness" in a fundamentalist manner, and on the other hand, end up with a "dualistic attitude of good and evil" that dismisses things that are different as "evil". , the country is sharply divided into two, and America's proud culture of recognizing its diversity is rapidly fading away. On the contrary, the "tolerance" and "openness to diversity" shown by the Vietnamese people open channels of productive communication and learning, and differences, in turn, create a rich and powerful culture as diversity. will be cultivated.

There is a richness that cannot be measured by material wealth.

When I talk carefully with people from various countries in Asia, I realize that there is a deeper richness that is rooted in daily life, separate from material wealth. It is a mysterious richness that we would never encounter in our modern society's brain-centered sense of speed, which divides things into simple schemes such as "good or bad," "friend or foe," or "one or nothing." is. Countries in Asia are full of brightness and energy that is born out of the mud, and is not dependent on economic indicators or data. Behind this, we can see the deep wisdom that we have cultivated over a long history of hardship in coexisting with nature, understanding what is true wealth and what we should value most.

Toward a truly prosperous 21st century with CERARICA

In order to encounter the all-encompassing richness that exists among the people of Asia, who are economically poor but have a deep sense of perspective, who are open to diverse human beings, open to nature and life, , you need some kind of guiding thread. CERARICA = Life Law'', created by tens of millions or hundreds of millions of years of life, contains inexhaustible wisdom and value that can serve as a guiding thread. In an era where we should aim for "coexistence" by taking advantage of the diversity of all living things, CERARICA NODA will continue to deeply pursue the possibilities of " CERARICA = Life Law".