The Progressive Confucian Web

I’m happy to announce that a project I have been working on for some time has now reached a level of maturity that I feel comfortable sharing it publicly. Jinburuxue.com is a mainly Chinese-language website that aims to share Chinese versions of writings about progressive approaches to Confucianism. (Jinbu ruxue or 进步儒学 means progressive Confucianism.) Some of the material originally appeared in Chinese, and some of it was originally in English and has been translated specifically for this project. (All work appears with permission.) The site also has an English-language version, although the underlying essays and other materials are still in Chinese.

The contributors to this website have many differences, but share a common understanding of Confucianism as a living tradition, a still-developing tradition. In addition, we believe that as Confucianism develops in the contemporary world, it must be inclusive, supporting the ability of all people to improve ethically. In the essays and other materials collected on the site, we argue that the values of the Confucian tradition should be expressed in new ways in the 21st century. This is what the Book of Changes calls “changing with the times 与时偕行,” the Greater Learning calls “daily renewal 日新,” and the Analects calls “reviewing the old to know the new 温故而知新.” We call this contemporary, developing form of Confucianism “Progressive Confucianism.”

The site focuses on Chinese-language versions of our material because in the first instance, our goal is to have an impact on Chinese-language discussions of what Confucianism is and can be. Any thoughts on this project or suggestions for changes or future development are welcome!

ToC: Asian Philosophy 28:3

The Table of Contents for the latest issue of Asian Philosophy is below, and see here.

Chen Bo, Two different approaches to philosophy a critical reflection on contemporary Chinese philosophy

Chaehyun Chong, Why is loving a thief not the same as loving all men for the Mohists?

Niklas Söderman, Critique of modernity in the philosophy of Nishitani Keiji

Ady Van den Stock, The curious incident of wisdom in the thought of Feng Qi (1915-1995): comparative philosophy, historical materialism, and metaphysics

Quan Wang, Pleasure principle and perfect happiness: morality in Jacques Lacan and Zhuangzi

Yingjin Xu, Iki and Contingency: A Reconstruction of Shuzo Kuki’s Early Aesthetic theory

Job at UBC

The Department of Philosophy at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver Campus, invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track position). AOS: Asian Philosophy. AOC: Open. We welcome applications from philosophers who specialize in the philosophical traditions of East Asia and/or South Asia. A Ph.D. in Philosophy or other relevant field (e.g., Asian Studies, Religion) prior to taking up the position is required. Start date: July 1, 2019.

For more information, see: https://www.philjobs.org/job/show/10990

Job at Illinois College

Illinois College invites applications for a tenure-track position with a specialization in Asian Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in Fall, 2019. The position is in an interdisciplinary department (history, philosophy, political science, and religion). The candidate’s disciplinary focus is open and they should be committed to interdisciplinary approaches to Asian studies. Applicants should have language competency appropriate for their discipline. Roughly two-thirds of course load will be related to Asian history and culture and one-third focused on Asian religious traditions.  The successful candidate will be able to teach introductory-level and general-education courses. Illinois College has a long-standing connection to Japan and candidates should be able to contribute to our Japanese Studies program. We have recently started an interfaith studies minor and this position will also support it. Candidates should have an enthusiasm for teaching and working closely with students as well as having an active research agenda. Ph.D. required (advanced ABD considered).

For details, see https://www.h-net.org/jobs/job_display.php?id=57230

Gowans Reviews Fiordalis (ed.), Buddhist Spiritual Practices

Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

2018.09.08 View this Review Online   View Other NDPR Reviews

David V. Fiordalis (ed.), Buddhist Spiritual Practices: Thinking with Pierre Hadot on Buddhism, Philosophy, and the Path, Mangalam, 2018, 328pp., $35.00 (pbk), ISBN 9780898001174.

Reviewed by Christopher W. Gowans, Fordham University

Pierre Hadot’s interpretation of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy in terms of “philosophy as a way of life” constituted by “spiritual exercises” has received considerable attention from scholars of the period as well as by persons who welcome his defense of a way of doing philosophy that is more practical than dominant academic approaches today. Though Hadot is not without his critics (for example, questions have been raised about the adequacy of his historical claims),[1] his approach also has been seen as a point of view for interpreting non-Western philosophies. This has been true especially of Buddhist philosophy. The present collection of essays, based on a 2015 conference, is a welcome addition to the increasing number of readings of Buddhist philosophy from the perspective of Hadot. I will briefly summarize the essays and then offer some suggestions in light of them on some ways in which Hadot may be beneficial for our understanding Buddhist philosophy.

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