Latest Posts
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Shadowlands and Redemption
We watched the movie, Shadowlands, last night. It is based on the life of C.S. Lewis and his late-in-life love and marriage to Joy Gresham. It is a tragedy. He discovers her, or she him; she challenges him fundamentally to… Continue reading
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Power and Authority
Following on yesterday’s post (below), I wanted to mention another idea that came up in the course of my summer class. We talked, in various ways, about the notion of authority. I must admit, I do not often think… Continue reading
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Power and Order
Today the summer program I have been overseeing for the month of July ended. My students have scattered to the four corners of the country, to return in about a month better prepared, I believe, to begin their four years… Continue reading
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Why is Glass Hard?
I saw this story in today’s NYT, about scientists baffled by the nature of glass, and it sparked some Taoist thoughts. First, I thought: a Taoist might not ask that question. Glass is hard; it simply is. As to… Continue reading
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Just so you know….
…I am already sick of the Olympics – and they haven’t even begun yet. Perhaps it’s because I am not fond of scrambled eggs and tomatoes. And I will certainly avoid the opening ceremonies: all such performances, anywhere any… Continue reading
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Life Without a “True Emperor”
Mencius has much to say about political leadership. For him, a wise leader, some times termed a “true emperor,” is key to stability and prosperity. The US has suffered for so long with the venal and bumbling Bush administration, that… Continue reading
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Keeping the Confucian-Mencian Spirit Alive
The people who are best at continuing the finest traditions of Confucianism in the PRC today are those brave enough to stand up and speak truth to power. People like Chen Guangcheng. We all should learn from such people and… Continue reading
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I Ching Wordle
Here is a Wordle for the I Ching. It draws on only the Image and Judgment and Line Statement portions of the Wilhelm text, but it gives us something to compare to the Analects and Tao Te Ching. Continue reading
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Satisfied, Fatalisitic China
The Pew Global Attitudes Project yesterday published its report “The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China” (PDF file!). Some interesting data there. One noticeable result, which Roland picked up on also, is the high level of satisfaction… Continue reading
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Analects Wordle
It’s mid July and about to rain. I’m home alone with the dogs, between tasks. So why not another wordle? Here’s the Legge translation of the Analects, unedited (click on picture to enlarge): Continue reading
The Useless Tree 