These are generous scholarships, running for 3 years for a PhD and 2 years for a Masters degree. The scholarships pay for the tuition fee (which are around AUD$20,000 per year) and an annual stipend of $24,653.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for research in Chinese philosophy, please get in touch with A/Prof Karyn Lai (k.lai@unsw.edu.au) as applications require the support of the supervisor.

More details are available at: http://research.unsw.edu.au/sites/all/files/related_files/regular_page_content/international_scholarship_guidelines.pdf?t=1360177126

The closing date for applications is 1st March 2013.

This article “Practicising to know: Practicalism and Confucian philosophy” is co-authored by me and one of my colleagues, Stephen Hetherington, an advocate of a version of knowing-how (a version he names ‘Practicalism’). In this paper, we explore how Confucian philosophy lends support to Practicalism.

Practising to Know: Practicalism and Confucian Philosophy. Co-authored with Stephen Hetherington. Published in Philosophy, July 2012, 87 : pp 375-393. Copyright © The Royal Institute of Philosophy 2012. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0031819112000289.

Abstract:

For a while now, there has been much conceptual discussion about the respective natures of knowledge-that and knowledge-how, along with the intellectualist idea that knowledge-how is really a kind of knowledge-that. Gilbert Ryle put in place most of the terms that have so far been distinctive of that debate, when he argued for knowledge-how’s conceptual distinctness from knowledge-that. But maybe those terms should be supplemented, expanding the debate. In that spirit, the conceptual option of practicalism has recently entered the fray. Practicalism conceives anew the nature of knowledge-that, as being a kind of knowledge-how. In this paper we enlarge upon this conceptual suggestion. We draw from an ancient Chinese text, the Analects of Confucius, explaining how it lends some support to practicalism.

ASACP Conference 2012

University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

9-11 July 2012

Conference Theme: Relationships in Asian and Comparative Philosophy

 Keynote Speaker: Professor Roger Ames, University of Hawai’i

During his visit, Professor Ames will speak at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on the topic of “Landscape and Traveling in the Confucian Dynamics of Intergenerational Transmission” on Saturday 7^th July (time to be confirmed) and will present a UNSW Confucius Institute Public Lecture on “Confucian Role Ethics: A Challenge to the Ideology of Individualism” on Tuesday 10^th July (http://www.confuciusinstitute.unsw.edu.au/china-talks/2012/china-talks-distinguished-speaker-roger-ames).

The conference committee invites submissions of proposals for papers in all areas of Asian and Comparative Philosophy and associated disciplines, especially on the topic of relationships. At this conference, there will also be a focus on the following streams:

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UNSW offers scholarships to international research candidates (Masters, PhD) of exceptional research potential to undertake a higher degree by research. Tuition Fee Scholarships are available for PhD, Masters by Research and Master of Philosophy (in selected disciplines depending on Faculty research areas). Some scholarship schemes also provide a living allowance.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship to conduct MA or PhD research in Chinese philosophy, please contact Dr Karyn Lai (k.lai@unsw.edu.au) for more information. The closing date for applications is 31st August, 2011, so please act quickly!

More information on the scholarship is available at: http://research.unsw.edu.au/international-research-candidate-scholarships.

The four passages on 知禮 in the Lunyu: 3.15, 3.22, 7.31, 20.3 shed some light on 知—is it knowing how, knowing that, or some combination of them, or perhaps a different kind of knowing?

In 7.31, Confucius himself is challenged. Perhaps here we see an ordering (prioritisation) of li? Confucius is challenged again in 3.15. This is a really interesting case: the person who has observed Confucius asking questions at the Hall presumes that Confucius does so because he lacks knowledge. On this basis, he asks if Confucius actually knows li. Confucius’ response turns the tables on the inquirer. To ask questions (i.e. what he was doing then) is not a sign of not knowing that; it is in fact a manifestation of knowing-how to perform li (it is an act of respect or courtesy by a visitor to the Hall to show interest in its details).

In 3.22, Confucius judges that Guanzhong does not know li — on the basis that he has failed to manifest the appropriate li in court. Hence, Confucius asks the rhetorical question concerning whether Guanzhong did really know li.

So here we’ve got some evidence that knowing how is necessary for zhili in these two conversations. *Perhaps even necessary and sufficient in 3.22? (I’m just not sure about this point, though—and I’d like to hear what others think.).

UNSW invites applications for a limited number of Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in 2012, to be awarded to early career researchers of exceptional calibre wishing to conduct full-time research at UNSW in any of its areas of research strengths.

* Applicants must have been awarded a PhD confer dated (on testamur); no earlier than 1 January 2007 or later than 31st December 2010.

* Fellows will be appointed at Academic Salary Level A (A$71K – $76K) or Level B (A$80K- $85K) per year (plus 17% employer superannuation and leave loading) based on years of experience. A Research Support Grant of A$10,000 per annum for three years will be provided on commencement. The University’s employment conditions apply to the Fellowships, including such entitlements as relocation allowance on appointment.

* Fellowships will be offered for a period of 2 years, renewable for a third year subject to research performance in the top 25% of their level of appointment and evidence of actively seeking externally funded fellowships.

Please contact Karyn Lai (k.lai@unsw.edu.au) for research in Chinese Philosophy.

More details are available at: https://research.unsw.edu.au/2012_VCFellowships