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207Li as Cultural Grammar: On the Relation between Li and Ren in Confucius' AnalectsPhilosophy East and West 57 (3). 2007.A major controversy in the study of the "Analects" has been over the relation between two central concepts, ren (humanity, human excellence) and li (rites, rituals of propriety). Confucius seems to have said inconsistent things about this relation. Some passages appear to suggest that ren is more fundamental than li, while others seem to imply the contrary. It is therefore not surprising that there have been different interpretations and characterizations of this relation. Using the analogy of l…Read more
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205Confucian Harmony in Dialogue with African HarmonyAfrican and Asian Studies 1 (2): 1-10. 2016.Engaging in dialogue with African philosophy, I respond to questions raised by Thaddeus Metz on characteristics of Confucian philosophy in comparison with African philosophy. First, in both Confucian philosophy and African philosophy, harmony/harmonization and self-realization coincide in the process of person-making. Second, Confucians accept that sometimes it is inevitable to sacrifice individual components in order to achieve or maintain harmony at large scales; the point is how to minimize s…Read more
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205比较的时代里的中国研究与‘以中释中’的论辩中国哲学与文化 16 51-61. 2019.Our age is one of globalization. A major characteristic of this age is the interaction, contention, and integration of various cultural and philosophical traditions. In such an environment, Chinese studies can no longer be conducted in isolation, independently of external influences. If we call the 18th-19th centuries the age of reason, the 20th century the age of analysis, the 21st century is the age of comparative study. In our age, the mantra of “interpreting China in terms of (only) Chinese …Read more
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204Zhuangzi and Aristotle on What a Thing IsIn Comparative Approach to Chinese Philosophy. pp. 263-277. 2003.
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203Can Xun Zi’s Proposition on “Establishing Ritual Practices in Accordwith Qing ” Be Validated?中国社会科学 35 (1): 146-162. 2014.Wang Guowei expressed doubts about Xun Zi’s proposition on “establishing ritual practices in accord with qing,” arguing that it was in direct confict with the philosopher’s famous thesis that “human natural tendency is evil.” The word qing (情) has several connotations in the Xunzi: it may refer to factual truth (实情), sincerity (诚实) or emotions (情感). Readers of the Xunzi tend to view the emotional connotation of qing in a negative light, but in actuality qing as human emotions can also be underst…Read more
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190Coping with Incommensurable Pursuits: Rorty, Berlin, and the Confucian-Daoist ComplementarityIn Yong Huang (ed.), Rorty, Pragmatism, and Confucianism: With Responses by Richard Rorty, State University of New York Press. pp. 195-209. 2010.
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187“疫情與倫理價值——兼評范瑞平教授的‘大疫當前:訴諸儒家文明的倫理資源’ (The Role of Ethical Values in Fighting the COVID: A Reply to Ruiping Fan)International Journal of Chinese and Comparative Philosophy of Medicine 《中外醫學哲學》 18 (2): 109-113. 2020.While largely agreeing with Ruiping Fan, Chenyang Li makes three points regarding the handling of COVID-19. First, in addition to state capacity, social trust, and leadership, as identified by Francis Fukuyama, factors responsible for successful pandemic responses include the value of individual freedom upheld by citizens. A high level of individual freedom can make it difficult to implement strict measures even when they are objectively necessary. Second, a strong state can be effective in hand…Read more
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184Material Wellbeing and Cultivation of Character in ConfucianismIn L. Chenyang & Peimin Ni (eds.), Moral Cultivation and Confucian Character: Engaging Joel J. Kupperman. pp. 171-188. 2014.
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183Harmony as a Guiding Principle for GovernanceIn Julia Tao, Anthony B. L. Cheung, Martin Painter & Chenyang Li (eds.), Governance for Harmony in Asia and Beyond, Routledge. pp. 37-57. 2009.
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180Cultural Configurations of ValuesThe Journal of International Issues 12 (2): 28-49. 2008.All cultures are infused by or even rooted in certain values. Although those values are generally recognised in all societies, they are diversely ranked or proritised in different human groups and different perceptions partly account for cultural diversity as not all values can be equally upheld in any community or by any individual. Though value universalism in a strict sense is unachievable, we can all agree on a pluralistic mutual understanding of and tolerance for diversity.
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170Does confucian ethics integrate care ethics and justice ethics? The case of menciusAsian Philosophy 18 (1). 2008.In recent years, scholars of Confucian ethics have debated on important issues such as whether Confucian ethics embraces, or should embrace, universal values and impartiality. Some have argued that Confucian ethics integrates both care and justice, and that Confucian ethics is both particularistic and universalistic. In this essay, I will defend a view of the relation between care and justice and the relation between care ethics and justice ethics on the basis of the notion of 'configuration of …Read more
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164The Confucian Concept of Jen and the Feminist Ethics of Care: A Comparative StudyHypatia 9 (1). 1994.This article compares Confucian ethics of Jen and feminist ethics of care. It attempts to show that they share philosophically significant common grounds. Its findings affirm the view that care-orientation in ethics is not a characteristic peculiar to one sex. It also shows that care-orientation is not peculiar to subordinated social groups. Arguing that the oppression of women is not an essential element of Confucian ethics, the author indicates the Confucianism and feminism are compatible.
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159The confucian ideal of harmonyPhilosophy East and West 56 (4): 583-603. 2006.: This is a study of the Confucian ideal of harmony and harmonization (he 和). First, through an investigation of the early development of he in ancient China, the meaning of this concept is explored. Second, a philosophical analysis of he and a discussion of the relation between harmony, sameness, and strife are offered. Also offered are reasons why this notion is so important to Confucian philosophy. Finally, on the basis of value pluralism, a case is made for the Confucian approach of he to th…Read more
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157Toward a Mega-Humanism: Confucian Triadic Harmony for the AnthropoceneIn Ruth Abbey (ed.), Cosmopolitan Civility: Global-Local Reflections with Fred Dallmayr, Suny Press. pp. 57-68. 2018.The idea of the Anthropocene is not only about environmental issues; it is for a new geologic epoch. Moreover, it is a new worldview, a new philosophy. It provides a new context and perspective for us to re-think some traditional philosophical ideas, including the ancient Confucian philosophy of harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity.
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155Supplementing Ames on Creativity: A Heideggerian Interpretation of ChengIn James Behuniak (ed.), Appreciating the Chinese Difference: Engaging Roger T. Ames on Methods, Issues, and Roles, Suny Press. pp. 133-158. 2018.I argue that a Heideggerian reading of the concept of cheng 誠 strengthens Roger Ames's interpretation of the Confucian concept by providing a grounding framework that connects various dimensions of the concept.
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151“世界哲学としての中国哲学” (Chinese Philosophy as World Philosophy)Chinese Society and Culture 53 6-19. 2020.I will argue for three points. The first point is on the need for making Chinese philosophy world philosophy. The second is that doing comparative philosophy is the most effective way to study, examine and develop Chinese philosophy as world philosophy. Third, in order to promote Chinese philosophy as world philosophy, we should not overly historicize philosophy.
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148Traditions as Configurations of ValuesIn Dimitri Spivak & Evgeniy Lunyaev (eds.), Dynamics of Values in Contemporary Culture, Broadview Press. pp. 33-53. 2006.
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136How Can One Be A Taoist-Buddhist-Confucian? -A Chinese Illustration of Multiple Religious ParticipationInternational Review of Chinese Religion and Philosophy 1 29-66. 1996.
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131The ideal of harmony in ancient chinese and greek philosophyDao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy 7 (1): 81-98. 2008.This article offers a study of the early formation and development of the ideal of harmony in ancient Chinese philosophy and ancient Greek philosophy. It shows that, unlike the Pythagorean notion of harmony, which is primarily based on a linear progressive model with a pre-set order, the ancient Chinese concept of harmony is best understood as a comprehensive process of harmonization. It encompasses spatial as well as temporal dimensions, metaphysical as well as moral and aesthetical dimensions.…Read more
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127The philosophy of harmony in classical confucianismPhilosophy Compass 3 (3). 2008.This essay introduces the philosophy of harmony in Classical Confucianism. In the first part of the essay the author summarizes the concept of harmony as it was developed in various Confucian classics. In the second part, the author offers an account of the Confucian program of harmony, ranging from internal harmony in the person, to harmony in the family, the state, the international world, and finally to harmony in the entire universe.
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120Beyond Liberal Democracy: A Debate on Democracy and Confucian MeritocracyPhilosophy East and West 59 (4): 523-523. 2009.None.
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114Zhongyong as grand harmony: An alternative reading to Ames and Hall’s Focusing the familiarDao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy 3 (2): 173-188. 2004.
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111Confucianism and feminist concerns: Overcoming the confucian "gender complex"Journal of Chinese Philosophy 27 (2). 2000.
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98Confucian moral cultivation, longevity, and public policyDao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy 9 (1): 25-36. 2010.By investigating the link between the Confucian ideal of longevity and moral cultivation, I argue that Confucian moral cultivation is founded on the ideal of harmony, and, in this connection, it promotes a holistic, healthy life, of which longevity is an important component. My argument is internal to Confucianism, in the sense that it aims to show these concepts are coherently constructed within the Confucian philosophical framework; I do not go beyond the Confucian framework to prove its valid…Read more
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95Natural kinds: Direct reference, realism, and the impossibility of necessary a posteriori truthReview of Metaphysics 47 (2): 261-76. 1993.SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED that water is H2O. Water is H2O is true. But is it a necessary truth? In other words, is it true in all possible worlds? Some people think it is. For example Hilary Putnam, in his well-known Twin Earth argument, concludes that "water is H2O" is necessarily true; thus a liquid which phenomenally resembles H2O and fits the description of water in almost all aspects, but has the chemical formula XYZ, cannot be water. Saul Kripke has made a similar claim about the necessar…Read more
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93Where Does Confucian Virtuous Leadership Stand?Philosophy East and West 59 (4): 531-536. 2008.There is an inner thoroughness spirit in traditional Chinese learning of classics—the so-called "Guoxue" in Chinese. Only on this foundation of "thoroughness" spirit can academics show its vigorous culture life and spiritual life, which makes traditional Chinese learning of classics pursue the transcendence of heaven and man and can’t be divided into a religion. Our traditional Chinese values and its original significance exist in our traditional academic system and the enlightenment of propriet…Read more
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84Confucian value and democratic valueJournal of Value Inquiry 31 (2): 183-193. 1997.Samuel P. Huntington asserts that the world is now entering an age of “the clash of civilizations.” Specifically, the clash is between democratic Western civilization and undemocratic civilizations in the rest of the world, Confucian and Islamic civilizations in particular. Huntington also suggests that in order for democracy to take roots in a Confucian society, undemocratic elements in Confucianism must be superseded by democratic elements. The purpose of this essay is to examine the future re…Read more
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82An Introduction to Chinese Philosophy: From Ancient Philosophy to Chinese Buddhism. By Jee Loo LiuJournal of Chinese Philosophy 34 (3). 2007.
Fairfield, Connecticut, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Chinese Philosophy |
Classical Chinese Philosophy |
Areas of Interest
Philosophical Traditions |
Chinese Philosophy |
Classical Chinese Philosophy |
Value Theory |