The Useless Tree

Taoism

  • China in Three Pictures

         This doesn’t have much to do with ancient Chinese philosophy (though I imagine I could paste on some reference to Taoism somewhere here…) but the idea has been kicking around in my head.      In talking with… Continue reading

  • Taoism in the Service of the State

         Add this to the "too ironic to be true (but it is!)" file (hat tip, CDT):  China to build harmonious society with wisdom of Taoism XI’AN, April 22 (Xinhua) — China’s high-ranking officials have called for adopting the… Continue reading

  • What Should We Remember?

         A controversy has arisen at my college, one that raises an interesting question (above the din of the usual freedom of speech v. standards of decency thing): what should we remember?      Recent events run something like… Continue reading

  • Manny Ramirez, Taoist Sage

         You knew I had to do this.  The profile of Manny Ramirez, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, in this week’s New Yorker, (hat tip Jeremiah) gives me another chance to point to Taoism in a modern context. … Continue reading

  • No Show Cho

          If confronted with the question, should the videos and photos of the Virginia Tech killer be aired publicly, both Confucians and Taoists would say "no."  And it may be instructive to work through their responses because they may… Continue reading

  • Taoists in the Jungle

         It’s been a great week in my ancient Chinese philosophy tutorial, sitting around with students talking about Chuang Tzu: what he might have meant in the Inner Chapters and what those chapters might mean in our times.  Since… Continue reading

  • Kurt Vonnegut, Taoist Sage

         Yes, I am one of those insufferable late-boomers who, when flopping about in high school, found fun and meaning and insight in the novels of Kurt Vonnegut, who died yesterday.  I am sure there will be many "counter-cultural"… Continue reading

  • Confucianism in Everyday Life

         I guess I have to comment on this article in yesterday’s China Daily: Filial piety plays a part in promotions Updated: 2007-04-09 06:43 Want a promotion? How about being nice to mom and dad? Administrative skills alone are… Continue reading

  • Another Taoist Easter

          A steady snow is falling here on this Easter day.  When I step outside I am surrounded by a chorus of birds; a flock of robins passed through the backyard yesterday and may still be perched in the… Continue reading

  • Who (Hu?) are they talking about?

          I’m getting ready to read Chuang Tzu with my tutorial students next week.  One thing that always fascinates me with this text is its skepticism toward language.  It so sharply and smartly questions the capacity of words to… Continue reading