Philosophy
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Making Confucianism Relevant to Americans
In my ongoing work to understand what Confucianism can mean in modern American contexts, I am returning to a paper I wrote for an academic conference a couple of years ago. My thinking on the topic has expanded since then,… Continue reading
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Is Confucian Reciprocity a “Silver Rule”?
A friend of mine (thanks Karl!) sent me a link to a story in the Irish Times, way back on January 31: Unthinkable: Which ‘golden rule’ of ethics is best, the Christian or Confucian? It is an interview with Yinya… Continue reading
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Return to the Trolley Problem: The Daoists Are Right!
A review in yesterday's NYT Sunday Book Review brings the infamous "trolley problem" to wider public attention. Having blogged on this issue before, primarily from a Daoist perspective (see here and here), I will not describe the full analytic apparatus… Continue reading
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Confucianism from the bottom-up
After my most pleasant China trip, I am coming to a conclusion: Confucianism works best in the world, especially in the modern world, when it operates as a form of practical ethics, providing ideas that can inform how individuals navigate… Continue reading
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Ancient Chinese Philosophy in the New York Times
As you have probably noticed, I regularly complain that ancient Chinese thought rarely breaks through into contemporary American consciousness. So, I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I sat down with my second cup of coffee and took up my… Continue reading
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Confucianism is not catching on in the United States
As my semester winds down, and grading final papers and exams presses in on me, I find my attention turning (don't worry, I'll get back to the grading shortly) to more pleasant summer pursuits. For me, this year, those include… Continue reading
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Further to the Daoist Trolley (non)Problem
Wow. Lots of hits for my post on a Daoist response to the Trolley Problem. It was put up on the Reddit Philosophy page and that brought a deluge of readers, many, I imagine, first-time visitors to this blog. Hundreds… Continue reading
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To a Daoist, the Trolley Problem is not a Problem at all
A reader sent in an interesting email, asking how Daoism might respond to the "Trolley Problem." A great question! Let's think it through. For those not familiar with it, the "Trolley Problem" (I will link here to the obituary of… Continue reading
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The Chinese Political System is not a Meritocracy
Daniel A. Bell has a piece today in the CSM, arguing that the PRC political system is, basically, a meritocracy that holds lessons that might correct the flaws of US democracy. Bell is a philosopher and he tends to operate… Continue reading
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Why We Need Chinese Philosophy
I want to recognize, and expand upon, Justin H. Smith's piece in the NYT, "Philosophy's Western Bias." He makes a case for why academic philosophy departments should incorporate more "non-Western" schools of thought in their curriculum. I am all for… Continue reading
The Useless Tree 