Latest Posts
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The Pursuit of Happiness
An op-ed in the English edition of the Global Times today asks: Are Chinese people truly miserable? It opens: "Misery" is a regular word today. From emotions reflected in the media and online, the Chinese sense of misery is increasing… Continue reading
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Yan Xuetong, History and Philosophy
Sorry for the blog silence – lots of work and distractions. But I'm back now… Yesterday's op-ed in the NYT by Chinese international relations academic, Yan Xuetong, has sparked a great deal of discussion on listservs and web sites. Manyul… Continue reading
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Mencius in Libya
The rather gruesome public death of Muammar el-Qaddafi, dictator of Libya, has caused some upset in more comfortable political quarters. And this was the topic of a historically well-informed op-ed in today's NYT by Simon Sebag Montefiore. He draws comparisons,… Continue reading
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Daoism as Soft Power?
For a long time now there has been talk about how Confucianism might figure, or not, in the soft power strategy of the PRC state. And now it seems Beijing is starting to look toward Daoism for the same purposes:… Continue reading
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Thinking of Yueyue and obligations to strangers
The sad story of Wang Yue, widely known as Yueyue – a two-year old girl in Foshan run over by a van, and even run over a second time by another vehicle, and then left to die while uncaring passersby… Continue reading
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Twenty Years
Today is Aidan's twentieth birthday. His memory still animates my being, his presence, even in absence, a continuing creator of of my life's course. It was Aidan who led me into ancient Chinese philosophy, especially an appreciation of Daoism, and… Continue reading
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Confucian child-rearing
In my post on "Cherish the Young," I asserted that "child-rearing is central to the Confucian project of creating and reproducing ren – 仁 – "humanity" or "humaneness" or "benevolence," the highest moral accomplishment." Commenter Bill Haines (well known to… Continue reading
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Where have all the Confucians gone?
Apparently, they're not to be found among the nouveau riches in China: Attitudes towards luxury are far more positive in China than they are in other rich nations, with 78 percent of those surveyed saying that luxury goods and services… Continue reading
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Sudo Genki – Machine Civilization
I have not kept up with my favorite Japanese pop star. This video, "machine civilization," came out in March or so. Great stuff. It seems to be asking us if we have become dehumanized by our modern mechanized economic-culture. … Continue reading
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Cherish the Young
I write today in support of a documentary that is currently under production, Living with Dead Hearts: The Search for China's Kidnapped Children, which chronicles a tragic and widespread problem. It is directed by Charlie Custer, of ChinaGeeks fame, and… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 