The piece describes what she envisioned her time in China would be like; visions of small talk and drinking tea danced in her head (Schmitt 125). This is a bit admirable to a more reserved person because it shows how outgoing she is when diving into a new culture. However, the reality of a language barrier and day to day behavior settled in. A series of uncomfortable exchanges illustrate the challenge of being accepted into a new culture. Described in the essay are people standing around in bath robes and under garments and popping in and out of rooms like some sort of clown
Confucian historical texts provide pragmatic solutions to political projects, although they operated in a culture that was seasoned with value laden principles from a hybridization of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist schools of thought. This paper focuses on the Confucian Scholar Dong Zhongshu; specifically, I will analyze his thoughts on the Mandate of Heaven, the connection between the state & human body, and his expectations of rulership. As I proceed with this analysis, I will demonstrate that Dong Zhongshu had a pragmatic political motive with his desire to be a member of educated elites known as the junzi. To begin with, I press the rhetorical: question was Dong Zhongshu a philosopher or an aspiring civil servant with philosophic tendencies?
Traditionally, the physician was expected to use all of their talents and training in an effort to save the life of their patient, no matter the odds. More recently, the physician’s role has been redefined to preserve the autonomy of the patient. Now physicians must give life saving care only in so far and to the degree desirous of the competent patient.
In this academic essay there will be an in depth look at the words of
1) “The Duke of She observed to Confucius: ‘Among us, there was an upright man called Kung who was so upright that when his father appropriated a sheep, he bore witness against him.’ Confucius said: ‘The upright men among us are not like that. A father will screen his son and a son his father—yet uprightness is to be found in that.’” (Analects)
Timothy Brook’s book, The Confusions of Pleasure: Commerce and Culture in Ming China is a detailed account of the three centuries of the Ming Dynasty in China. The book allows an opportunity to view this prominent time period of Chinese history. Confusions of Pleasure not only chronicles the economic development during the Ming dynasty, but also the resulting cultural and social changes that transform the gentry and merchant class. Brook’s insights highlight the divide between the Ming dynasty’s idealized beliefs, and the realities of its economic expansion and its effects. Brook describes this gap through the use of several first hand accounts of individuals with various social statuses.
Social challenges the Chinese experienced ranged from how they were treated in their jobs to how they would marry. Along with the occurrence of the coolie trade, the workers are upset at the employers’ abuse and how they cannot regulate the laws within their job. When the Chinese came over, the Americans were discriminating against them and their manner. The way Americans described Chinese revolved about how China’s culture is not “normal” because it is being compared to their American culture and racialized comments. When you move into a new town or city, it is harder to get comfortable when the ones that already resides in area are judgmental and puts down the newer people. The Americans called the Chinese hurtful and unkind words like: “cowardly”, “submissive”, “silly grunts”, and “menaces”. Interracial marriages were shunned and disapproved by many, it created problems in racial and family order. An example of how a Chinese man with a White woman relationship was ruined when Elise Sigel was murdered and Leon Ling was called out for the murder because there was a rumor that they were in an affiliation with one another. From this incident and others, there were laws that were created to separate whites and Asian individuals from getting into any sort of relationship or contact.
Ignorance is the act of being unaware. This is evident in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and also in the two articles, “The Lynching of Emmett Till,” by Chris Crowe, and “Man Guilty of Murder in Texas Dragging Death", by Rick Lyman. In To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many examples of ignorance, such as Scout's ignorance, or the racist tendencies of Maycomb County residents. In the Emmett Till article, there is evidence of ignorance in the way Till doesn't understand the "southern way of life", and the overall acquittal of his murder. In the Texas Dragging news report, the racist ways of the murderer, John King, are considered a form of ignorance. Ignorance leads to to the unjust judgment of others.
CASE EXAMPLE A: Elaine has sued Jerry because Jerry fired her. Elaine was on the job for two months. The job offer letter she had been given mentioned the great career opportunities at the company and stated that her annual salary would be $30,000. The employer is an employment at will employer. Elaine was given no reason for the termination. After the termination, Jerry hired a man named Kramer, who had less job experience and education than Elaine, for the position. Elaine has sued to get her job back.
One of the oldest philosophies in Chinese history is Confucianism. At the time of the warring states, Confucius wandered throughout China seeking a ruler who accepted the Confucian way. Since then, his ideas grew and are still relevant today. Throughout time other philosophers, Mengzi and Xunzi, have interpreted Confucius’ teachings and have long debated whether human nature is good or bad. I argue that human nature is not, as Mengzi believes, inherently good, instead, completely self-interested.
Let’s rewind back in time to 1996, Peter Hessler’s River Town is a graphic account of his experiences as a waiguoren (foreigner) in an ancient country. His crisp, content-rich and attention to detail style of writing keeps the reader mesmerized. Peter Hessler, a.k.a Ho Wei, volunteers as a Peace Corps officer who spends 2 years of his life in a city called Fuling, a Yangtze River town in China. The Peace Corps have assigned him to teach English and Literature in class to students who have never seen a foreigner let alone spoke English. This classroom becomes the portal from which Peter enters the Chinese culture and traditions. It combines his personal development as a recent college graduate with the development of China into the outer world. To understand the complicated Chinese languages and its ancient culture, it proves to be more daunting then to teach them about American culture. It’s a journey into history and a difficult one. Peter must cope with China’s centuries-old isolationism and distrust of an outsider.
Philosophers began to flourish in China as education and literacy spread. Three of the greatest philosophers to emerge during this era were Confucius, Mencius, and Hsun-Tzu. Incidentally, Confucius thought of himself as a transmitter of old culture and not the creator of a new one. He appreciated the futility of speaking higher things to those who were below him. As a result, he was fond of consulting with his students as his peers despite his immense knowledge. Mencius and Hsun-Tzu borrowed heavily from his teachings. Expectedly, they had much in common concerning the teachings of Confucius. On the other hand, they disagreed on a number of fundamental teachings. This paper compares and contrasts the two philosophers’ approaches to Confucianism. In essence, the two philosophers disagree on human nature while they agree with the assertion that all human beings are capable of becoming sages.
We have covered the general accounts of human nature found in Confucianism and Taoism in light of the historical backdrop of the Period of Warring States. Use your responses to the following general questions below as an opportunity to refer either to the Smith text and accompanying assigned scriptures(s), Smith video(s) on China, Confucianism, and Taoism, or any additional material covered in class. Look ahead to the next question on the chun tzu in order to plan on avoiding repetition of answers verbatim within each essay if there are areas of potential overlap.
An intuitive moral judgment is immediate judgment that requires no thinking or reflection. In other words, an intuitive moral judgment is simply a judgment we make with a minimum of thinking about it. An intuitive moral judgment is an automatic response to our understanding of a situation or an action. Many moral psychologists believe that moral intuitions are mainly based on our feelings rather than reasoning.
People judge each other on a daily basis. The way an individual presents themselves, speaks, and behave are all qualities other people base their perception off of. Consequently, these inferences are quite useful in determining who you would and would not enjoy being in any type of relationship with based on surface appearance. However, people may take judging people on surface appearance too far. Therefore, although making a judgement on about a person may not be a negative inference, people take their judgmental attitude to the extreme. Consequently, they have placed themselves in a negative lifestyle which negatively impacts their mood and social interactions.