地震災難地區的哲學實踐

Is the Earthquake Disaster Trying Philosophy?：An Attempt of “Philosophical practice＂in the Disaster-struck Areas

The Great East Japan Earthquake struck at 14:46 on 11 March 2011 off the Sanriku coast. The earthquake had a moment magnitude of 9.0 at a depth of 24 km, and registered a 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale in northern Miyagi Prefecture. According to a report by the Metropolitan Police Emergency Disaster Security Headquarters, as of 10 June 2014, known casualties included 15,887 deaths and 2615 missing persons. Explosions and venting at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant will likely result in the unprecedented scattering of radioactive material, particularly along the coastlines and rivers of the Tohoku and Kanto regions, and continues to profoundly affect the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries of these areas. We have experienced numerous separations and deaths since the earthquake. We are currently being forced to question anew various values including our views on life and death, such as love, conscience, kindness, loyalty, and fairness, that we had developed comfortably in tranquility. In such circumstances, the 'philosophical practice' that is occurring at the philosophical café where the participants' words (ideas) are strengthened through dialogues with others may be needed. It is only in such circumstances may it be possible to examine whether 'philosophical practice' can play a major role in crisis management after the earthquake.