Abstract
This work consist of two parts: the first is dedicated to a German philosopher of the first half of 19th century, Max Stirner; the second deals with a Japanese philosopher of 20th century, Keiji Nishitani. Both parts focus on the relation between self and nothingness.
The argumentation, which revolves around the negativity of the self, will be developed from each author's specific point of departure. In Stirner's case, this means presenting his theory of egoism, whereas in Nishitani, his conception of the self in the field of absolute nothingness.
Furthermore, the self is determined more precisely through Stirner's specific conception of epoché and in Nishitani's metaphor of the person as mask of absolute nothingness. The role of enjoyment will further be discussed as the positive side of the negativity of self in Stirner, which results in his theory of intercourse between individuals.
The first part ends with this discussion. In Nishitani, the specific logic of the self, which is born out of bringing together Buddhist ideas with western philosophical terminology, will further be presented.
The second part ends with Nishitani's presentation of the meeting between two persons from the depth of emptiness. Key words: self, nothingness, egoism, spirit, epoché, enjoyment, intercourse, union, religion, realization, self-consciousness, person, absolute nothingness, emptiness, meeting.