The "is" and the "does."
The "is" and the "does."
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On the contrast between "is" and ["does". In analyzing Japanese thought and political culture, Masao Maruyama presented a contrast between two linguistic and thinking styles, "is" and "[* [do". This is not just a difference in grammar, but reflects a difference in the thinking styles and values of Japanese society. 1. "is" type of thinking.
The "is" type of thinking is a style that [* assumes objective facts and entities and builds them up logically.
Features
Logical and objective
→ Systematic discussion with emphasis on factual correctness and consistency.
based on a fixed concept.
→ Things are definitively organized as "A is B".
E.g., "Japan is a modern nation" and "Democracy is the division of power."
High affinity with Western rationalism.
→ Commonly used in science, law, philosophy, etc.
Benefits
Easy to have clear definitions and standards
Consistent theory building is possible
Objectivity, easy to criticize and verify
Disadvantages
Difficulty in flexibly perceiving diverse real-life situations
Easily viewed as absolutes and slow to respond to change
2. "Do" type thinking.
The "do" type of thinking is a style that [* emphasizes proactive action and practice and makes decisions based on the situation.
Features
Practical and Situational.
→ Things can be thought of as centered around the act of "doing ____".
Examples: "make democracy," "modernize," "make war."
fluid and flexible.
→ Tend to change their thinking and behavior depending on the situation.
High affinity for Japanese-like cultural and political climate.
→ Easily consistent with the tendency to "read the air" and "adapt to the mood of the place".
Benefits
Easily adaptable to change
Flexibility to respond to real-world situations
Good for consensus building within a community.
Disadvantages
Consistency and principles tend to be weak.
Difficult to construct a systematic theory
Easily drift into subjective and emotional judgments
3. Significance of the contrast between "is" and "does".
Masao Maruyama pointed out that Japanese politics and thought are characterized by a strong tendency toward the "do" rather than the "is" type.
Example in Japanese political culture.
"be democratic" vs. "do democracy".
→ If "it is a democracy," it assumes universal rules and institutions and emphasizes adherence to them.
→ If you "do democracy," the emphasis is on actual operation and people's consensus building, and the rules themselves can vary.
"is war" vs. "waging war".
→ If "it is war," then the definition and legal concept of the state of war is called into question.
→ If "waging war," the emphasis is on actual combat actions and strategic decisions.
Relation to the social structure of Japan.
Japanese politics tends to focus more on actual operation and compromise ("do") than on the legitimacy of principles and institutions ("is").
Companies and organizations also have a strong culture of "making decisions based on the situation" rather than on explicit rules.
Even in academia and thought, there is a tendency to favor arguments based on actual experiences and situations over theoretical coherence.
4. Application to modern times.
This contrast between "is" and "does" is also relevant to current social issues and decision-making.
Issues in Contemporary Japan.
Lack of "is" type → Lack of principles.
→ Weak awareness of establishing and adhering to clear principles and systems.
→ e.g., ambiguity in interpretation of the Constitution, formality of laws
"do" type excess → ad hoc response.
→ Give priority to the atmosphere and relationship rather than principles.
→ e.g., "I can't do it because there is no precedent" or "I will follow because everyone else is doing it."
Reinforcing "is" type thinking allows for transparent, data-driven discussions.
By leveraging the strengths of the "do" model, a flexible and participatory democratic system can be established.
AI-based decision support could be a new approach that integrates "is" type analysis and "does" type practice.
5. Summary.
table::
Type that is Type that does
Approach Systematic theory building Emphasis on action and practice
Masao Maruyama's point is not merely a difference in language, but is deeply relevant to the nature of decision-making in Japanese society. How to strike a balance between "is" and "does" has become an important issue in today's society and politics.
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