Latest Posts
-
A Class
An emailer asked that I post the syllabus for one of my courses, "Asia and the World." It does not deal with Chinese philosophy, but is, rather, an introduction to Asian politics and history, centering on the question:… Continue reading
-
Friday I Ching Blogging: Reversal of Verdict on June 4th Massacre?
News reports suggest that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership is planning to honor Hu Yaobang, the former party chief whose death in 1989 sparked the dramatic Tianamen protests and the subsequent Beijing massacre. In the 1980’s, Hu… Continue reading
-
The Uses of Failure
Richard Cohen has a piece in today’s Washington Post in which he rues the fact the John Roberts, nominee for Chief Justice, seems not to have had to face any sort of serious personal failing in his life. … Continue reading
-
Buddhist Capitalists?
China Daily is reporting that Buddhist monks in Shanghai are enrolling in MBA courses to learn how to better manage their temples. Just another example of the ineluctable power of capitalism to "break down all Chinese walls," as… Continue reading
-
Duty and Humanity
It seems that two Navy helicopter pilots who took the initiative to help save people from roof tops in New Orleans have been reprimanded by their superior officers. The two pilots, Lt. David Shand and Lt. Matt Udkow,… Continue reading
-
What I’m Trying To Do Here
For any of you who have returned after yesterday’s wave of hits from Andrew’s link (thanks!), let me take a moment to let you know what this blog is about. I have it in my head… Continue reading
-
FEMA Director Michael Brown Should Resign: Confucius Agrees
Confucius believed that the noble-minded should rule, and he articulated various principles that defined noble-mindedness. Among the most important characteristic is xin,which can be translated as "trust," "good faith," "confidence," or "sincerity." The Chinese character for xin suggests… Continue reading
-
What to Teach II
OK, here’s a piece from the Washington Post on the revival of classic texts – the work of "dead, white men" – in American colleges. I have become more sympathetic to such endeavors in recent years, given my… Continue reading
-
Depression and Social Change
I couldn’t help but notice that these two items were listed right next to each other on the People’s Daily web site, in the Culture/Life section: 600,000 Beijingers suffer depression Middle class on rise in China: survey … Continue reading
-
Hurricane Katrina and the End of the Neoconservative Fantasy
Mencius reminds us that the basis of legitimacy for any government, democratic or authoritarian, is providing security and prosperity to the people (when he refers here to winning "all under Heaven" he means establishing sovereign rule): The way… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 