Depression as a Philosophical Conscience in Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore *

This paper tackles the philosophical effect of depression on Kafka Tamura, the major character in Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore. Kafka Tamura has shown quite a clear disparity in his personalities, depending on some circumstances he encounters through his journey. Depression has almost always been present when Kafka is addressing the ominous imaginary persona, “the boy named Crow.” This change is believed to be linked to depression as a philosophical compass that weaves the rationale and the mental capabilities of Murakami’s intriguing character. Therefore, by applying Rene Descartes’ “Dualism” and John Cottingham’s “Trialism”, this paper will examine this issue in depth to provide a philosophical understanding towards naming depression as a conscience, rather than being a hindrance for the character. In effect, dualism goes over the idea that human beings are divided into two sub-personalities: minds and bodies, and the possibility that they can be separated. However, its counterpart –trialism—develops the scope originally devised by dualism. It suggests that human beings do actually have a third component: sensation. Nonetheless, the paper attempts to identify a fourth dimension which lies beyond both theories. This “fourth” component which we intend to coin as “Quadrialism” is what Kafka develops as a form of depression manifested in “the boy named Crow.” It will be apparent that Kafka does not lack characterisation or a personality; rather, his characterisation is depression-bound.