Condemned by Mencius （ca.372-289 BCE） as selfishness （weiwo, 为我）, Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy in China is traditionally depicted as a philosophy of egoism and hedonism. In contrast, Yang Zhu （fl.ca.370-350...Condemned by Mencius （ca.372-289 BCE） as selfishness （weiwo, 为我）, Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy in China is traditionally depicted as a philosophy of egoism and hedonism. In contrast, Yang Zhu （fl.ca.370-350 BCE） is described as an ＂early liberal or individualist＂ hero in the Western Discussion of Chinese Philosophy. Yang Zhu may not be a liberal or individualist hero as portrayed by the West, but surely he should not be depicted as a promoter of egoism as Mencius did. Both John Emerson and A.C. Graham are probably right when they claimed that Yang Zhu was a revolutionary thinker of his own time; and ＂Yang Zhu＇s intervention for the Chinese thinking world had provoked a metaphysical crisis which had threatened the basic assumptions of Confucianism and Mohism and set them into a new course＂ （A.C. Graham 1978）. From my reading, Yang Zhu＇s influence on Chinese philosophy had been and will be even greater, although his philosophy as a whole was not practiced by Chinese society in the past due to the dominance of Confucianism. Yet as the first person who clearly emphasized nourishing of life for individuals and the first theory that rooted morality into xing （性, human nature）, Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy had indeed through history made a huge contribution to Chinese nurturing life tradition, and had great potential in providing inspiration to modern moral thinking. Many discussions initiated or developed by Yang Zhu and his followers have influenced both Confucianism and Daoism profoundly. His idea of nourishing life was not only inherited and developed by Zhuangzi and later Daoist religion from life preservation perspective, but also by Mencius and Xunzi from moral cultivation perspective. As a doctrine that has shown more and more relevance to modern society, people can find many inspirations from Yang Zhu＇s answer to the following questions： What is the aim of human life？ What is the right attitude toward life and death？ What is human nature？ What is the relationship between life nourishment and individual freedom？ Why nourishing one＇s own life should be as important as nourishing that of others？ What is the difference between humans and animals？ Why living a natural life is so important for human beings？ Based on materials collected from various Chinese sources directly related to Yang Zhu＇s school, especially the chapter entitled as ＂Yang Zhu＂ from the book of Liezi, this paper will explore essential features of Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy and its relevance to modern society. As ＂guiji＂ （贵已, cherishing oneself） is the core of Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy, discussion of this paper will focus on what Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ means, why Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ is not ＂weiwo＂ （为我, for oneself）, and how Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ yangsheng is relevant to modern society.展开更多
Early Renaissance man regained the independence of individual personality, but by the fear of God into the evolution away from God, from the backwash toward the loss. Late Renaissance reflection and adjustments is com...Early Renaissance man regained the independence of individual personality, but by the fear of God into the evolution away from God, from the backwash toward the loss. Late Renaissance reflection and adjustments is comforting one, rational constraints original desire, divinity give directions to humanity, which is the most profound meaning of humanism. For human freedom and liberation, post-humanism made a valuable exploration, by absorbing humanistic ingredients of the ancient Greek - Roman and Hebrew - Christian culture, tried to avoid walking single dimension of cultural evolution orientation.展开更多
There are natural ethical debates in ecological ethics, namely whether nature has intrinsic value, whether the nature has its rights. Theoretical basis of argument is the opposite of anthropocentrism and non- anthropo...There are natural ethical debates in ecological ethics, namely whether nature has intrinsic value, whether the nature has its rights. Theoretical basis of argument is the opposite of anthropocentrism and non- anthropocentrism. Ecological ethics controversy concerns the core issue of the relationship between human and nature of the ecological ethics about nature, to correctly understand and deal with the relationship between mankind and nature, ecological ethics and ecological ethics is the starting point and destination debates.展开更多
In the novel What I Saw and How I Lied （2008）, Judy Blundell presents readers a world of noir where so many lies are around the innocent protagonist, 15-year-old girl Evie. It is a challenge for Evie to probe into t...In the novel What I Saw and How I Lied （2008）, Judy Blundell presents readers a world of noir where so many lies are around the innocent protagonist, 15-year-old girl Evie. It is a challenge for Evie to probe into the heart of the deceptions and make ethical choices between good and evil. After experiencing the path from error to truth, from confusion to clarity, and unconsciousness to consciousness, Evie comes to realize the corruption and evils of the society and in an epiphany, obtains a self-knowledge which leads to her initiation. Through analyzing the ethical predicament and ethical choices of the protagonist Evie as well as the negative living environment around her, the present paper aims to interrogate the moral issues of truth, lie, justice, greed, fidelity, and betrayal so as to give readers a better understanding of the theme of initiation in the novel.展开更多
In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the conflicts and contradictions between men and women about society, family, love, and money, literally mirroring the patriarchal society constantly challenged by feminism in t...In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the conflicts and contradictions between men and women about society, family, love, and money, literally mirroring the patriarchal society constantly challenged by feminism in the 1920s of America. This paper intends to compare the features of masculinism and feminism in three aspects： gender, society, and morality. Different identifications of gender role between men and women lead to female protests against male superiority and pursuits of individual liberation. Meanwhile, male unshaken egotism and gradually expanded individualism of women enable them both in lack of sound moral standards. But compared with the female, male moral pride drives them with much more proper moral judge, which reflects Fitzgerald＇s support of the masculine society. Probing into the confrontation between masculinism and feminism, it is beneficial for further study on how to achieve equal coexistence and harmony between men and women.展开更多
文摘Condemned by Mencius （ca.372-289 BCE） as selfishness （weiwo, 为我）, Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy in China is traditionally depicted as a philosophy of egoism and hedonism. In contrast, Yang Zhu （fl.ca.370-350 BCE） is described as an ＂early liberal or individualist＂ hero in the Western Discussion of Chinese Philosophy. Yang Zhu may not be a liberal or individualist hero as portrayed by the West, but surely he should not be depicted as a promoter of egoism as Mencius did. Both John Emerson and A.C. Graham are probably right when they claimed that Yang Zhu was a revolutionary thinker of his own time; and ＂Yang Zhu＇s intervention for the Chinese thinking world had provoked a metaphysical crisis which had threatened the basic assumptions of Confucianism and Mohism and set them into a new course＂ （A.C. Graham 1978）. From my reading, Yang Zhu＇s influence on Chinese philosophy had been and will be even greater, although his philosophy as a whole was not practiced by Chinese society in the past due to the dominance of Confucianism. Yet as the first person who clearly emphasized nourishing of life for individuals and the first theory that rooted morality into xing （性, human nature）, Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy had indeed through history made a huge contribution to Chinese nurturing life tradition, and had great potential in providing inspiration to modern moral thinking. Many discussions initiated or developed by Yang Zhu and his followers have influenced both Confucianism and Daoism profoundly. His idea of nourishing life was not only inherited and developed by Zhuangzi and later Daoist religion from life preservation perspective, but also by Mencius and Xunzi from moral cultivation perspective. As a doctrine that has shown more and more relevance to modern society, people can find many inspirations from Yang Zhu＇s answer to the following questions： What is the aim of human life？ What is the right attitude toward life and death？ What is human nature？ What is the relationship between life nourishment and individual freedom？ Why nourishing one＇s own life should be as important as nourishing that of others？ What is the difference between humans and animals？ Why living a natural life is so important for human beings？ Based on materials collected from various Chinese sources directly related to Yang Zhu＇s school, especially the chapter entitled as ＂Yang Zhu＂ from the book of Liezi, this paper will explore essential features of Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy and its relevance to modern society. As ＂guiji＂ （贵已, cherishing oneself） is the core of Yang Zhu＇s yangsheng philosophy, discussion of this paper will focus on what Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ means, why Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ is not ＂weiwo＂ （为我, for oneself）, and how Yang Zhu＇s ＂guiji＂ yangsheng is relevant to modern society.
文摘Early Renaissance man regained the independence of individual personality, but by the fear of God into the evolution away from God, from the backwash toward the loss. Late Renaissance reflection and adjustments is comforting one, rational constraints original desire, divinity give directions to humanity, which is the most profound meaning of humanism. For human freedom and liberation, post-humanism made a valuable exploration, by absorbing humanistic ingredients of the ancient Greek - Roman and Hebrew - Christian culture, tried to avoid walking single dimension of cultural evolution orientation.
文摘There are natural ethical debates in ecological ethics, namely whether nature has intrinsic value, whether the nature has its rights. Theoretical basis of argument is the opposite of anthropocentrism and non- anthropocentrism. Ecological ethics controversy concerns the core issue of the relationship between human and nature of the ecological ethics about nature, to correctly understand and deal with the relationship between mankind and nature, ecological ethics and ecological ethics is the starting point and destination debates.
文摘In the novel What I Saw and How I Lied （2008）, Judy Blundell presents readers a world of noir where so many lies are around the innocent protagonist, 15-year-old girl Evie. It is a challenge for Evie to probe into the heart of the deceptions and make ethical choices between good and evil. After experiencing the path from error to truth, from confusion to clarity, and unconsciousness to consciousness, Evie comes to realize the corruption and evils of the society and in an epiphany, obtains a self-knowledge which leads to her initiation. Through analyzing the ethical predicament and ethical choices of the protagonist Evie as well as the negative living environment around her, the present paper aims to interrogate the moral issues of truth, lie, justice, greed, fidelity, and betrayal so as to give readers a better understanding of the theme of initiation in the novel.
文摘In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the conflicts and contradictions between men and women about society, family, love, and money, literally mirroring the patriarchal society constantly challenged by feminism in the 1920s of America. This paper intends to compare the features of masculinism and feminism in three aspects： gender, society, and morality. Different identifications of gender role between men and women lead to female protests against male superiority and pursuits of individual liberation. Meanwhile, male unshaken egotism and gradually expanded individualism of women enable them both in lack of sound moral standards. But compared with the female, male moral pride drives them with much more proper moral judge, which reflects Fitzgerald＇s support of the masculine society. Probing into the confrontation between masculinism and feminism, it is beneficial for further study on how to achieve equal coexistence and harmony between men and women.
