Latest Posts
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More on the New Legalists: The Philosophical Problems
Picking up where I left off in the last post, I find various philosophical problems with the New Legalists. I am reading them as nationalists who are appropriating ancient Legalist texts, together with some Taoist volumes, to fashion… Continue reading
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The New Legalists: Distorting Chinese History and Chinese Philosophy for Nationalist Ends
I have stumbled upon a website, The New Legalist, (Chinese version here, with much more stuff) and am dismayed at the distortions I find there. It seems to be the product of people with a fairly… Continue reading
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Is the Tao Te Ching Democratic?
Another question from my tutorial (thanks Andrea!). To begin an answer we must address all the caveats. No, I do not mean "democracy" as it is currently practiced in the West. Yes, I understand that the… Continue reading
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Is the Tao Te Ching Consequentialist?
In my tutorial, which has been working through the Tao Te Ching of late, a student (thanks Raff!) suggested that the text is consequentialist. I was initially taken aback, but, upon further reflection was drawn to the possibilities… Continue reading
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Go to Dunhuang – Now!
Dunhuang, the oasis city in Gansu province and home to the magnificent Mogao Caves, filled with extraordinary Buddhist sculpture and paintings, may be less accessible in the future. That, at least is what I get from this story:… Continue reading
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The Tao Te Ching Against the Second Amendment
Perhaps that is too strong. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution is famously ambiguous (so maybe Taoists would then be comfortable with it!): does it secure an individual’s right to bear arms or the right of the… Continue reading
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A Great New Blog
Just found a new Chinese philosophy blog: Manyul Im’s Chinese Philosophy Blog. Some great discussions going on there by people who really know their texts. Continue reading
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Whole ‘lotta Confucians Out There
Or at least the family tree of the man himself is growing in leaps and bounds: JINAN: Confucius, or more precisely his descendants, are alive and kicking in China, as well as the rest of the world. And… Continue reading
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A Taoist Garden?
A story in the LA Times a few days ago describes the opening of a Chinese-style garden in San Marino. Although it’s been a long time since I last strolled through the gardens of Suzhou or walked around… Continue reading
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Hillary’s Woes – Looking back on an I Ching Reading
Last year, just about his time, I asked the I Ching how Hillary Clinton should handle her political future. The prophecy that came back suggested that she should not run for president. I have been thinking about that… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 