Lifestudies.org was established in 1999 to promote discussion on life studies, philosophy of life, environmental ethics, bioethics, gender studies, and criticism of contemporary civilization. This site contains papers, essays, and other materials written by Masahiro Morioka and other authors.
Masahiro Morioka, the administrator, is a professor of philosophy and ethics at Osaka Prefecture University , the director of Research Institute for Contemporary Philosophy of Life , and the editor-in-chief of Journal of Philosophy of Life.
The administrator's main research fields are "life studies" and "philosophy of life." Life studies is an attempt to acquire the intellectual
capacity, wisdom and systematically organized knowledge from a variety
of disciplines needed to live our limited lives without regret. Philosophy of life is an academic discipline that deals with philosophical issues surrounding life, death, and nature.
Is it Morally Acceptable to Remove Organs from Brain-Dead Children? (2007)
Children have the right not to be exploited by the desires of adults. When a child has said nothing about what should be done in the event of their own brain death, we must affirm that he or she has a right to live and die peacefully, fully protected against the interests of others.
Books
List of books (20 books)
Selected chapters of some of Morioka's books in English.
> Recent Book
The 33rd Stone: A Philosophy for a wounded age (2009, in Japanese)
A collection of essays on suicide, restorative justice, religion, nationalism, sexuality, etc. that present a discussion of pain and hope in our wounded society. The title comes from the chapter on the 2007 incident at Virginia Tech. A good introduction to Morioka's thought.
Journal and Institute
Journal of Philosophy of Life
A peer-reviewed academic journal specializing in the philosophy of life, death, and nature, published by the Research Institute for Contemporary Philosophy of Life.
Research Institute for Contemporary Philosophy of Life
An institute established to promote research and education in the field of "philosophy of life." Research Institute for Contemporary Philosophy of Life is a subdivision of Research Organization for the 21st Century, Osaka Prefecture University.