Episode 32 of “This Is the Way”: Music Has in It neither Grief nor Joy

When you hear sad music and feel some sadness in response, is that because the music has successfully carried the sadness of the musician to you as the listener? Or is it better to say that the sadness is in you, released by the music but not “carried” by it? In this show (our second with a live audience), we discuss the music theory of the third-century philosopher Ji Kang 嵆康 (223–262 CE), who argued against the “carrier” view of music and for a more complicated and pluralistic account of the emotional contents of music. We also discuss Ji Kang’s interpretation of a famously evocative and mysterious passage in the Zhuangzi, regarding the “piping of Heaven.” To guide us in discussing these issues, we lean heavily on our guest, Meilin Chinn of Santa Clara University, a leading expert on the philosophy of music in China. Continue reading →

Barcelona Principles for a Globally Inclusive Philosophy

The Barcelona Principles for a Globally Inclusive Philosophy manifesto was published in 2021, aiming to address the structural inequality between native and non-native speakers in academic philosophy. A number of journals and societies, as well as many individuals, have signed the manifesto. I have only recently become aware of it, but suggest that members of our community should think seriously about committing to these principles as well. See also here for a FAQ that briefly discusses some of the issues that the Principles raise.

Conference: Ethics in Chinese Philosophy

The Division of Humanities in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is organizing the international conference, “Ethics in Chinese Philosophy,” bringing together presentations on various schools of thought within Chinese philosophy, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, with a focus on their distinct ethical frameworks and contributions. The conference celebrates the 35th anniversary of HKUST. It addresses how traditional Chinese ethical theories can inform and address modern challenges. Please read more or access the conference booklet for further information. Continue reading →

CFP: Chinese Philosophy and Psychological Wellbeing

Journal of Contemporary Chinese Philosophy, Special Issue Call for Papers: Chinese Philosophy and Psychological Wellbeing

This is a Diamond Open Access journal. Articles are published in Open Access at no cost to the author. Sponsored by Beijing Normal University, and launched by the International Center for Philosophy from Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, the editorial team includes philosophers from across China and from all around the world.

Deadline for Submissions: 31 May 2026
Guest Editor: Yuchen Liang liangyc@cuhk.edu.cn
Submit at: Editorial Manager  for JCCP https://brill.com/view/journals/jccp/jccp-overview.xml
 Continue reading →

Book available: Qiu and Bunin eds., Collected Papers of Four Conferences on Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights, Good Governance

Nicholas Bunin has shared with me that a new book has just been published: Qiu Renzong and Nicholas Bunnin, eds, Collected Papers of Four Conferences on Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights, Good Governance 《政治哲学各论》 (Beijing, privately published, 2025). The PDF of this book is available free of charge for any students, colleagues and institutions that might benefit from using the text for research, teaching, study, review, printing paper copies or library acquisition. Please contact Professor Bunin with any questions.

 

 

 

Philosophizing in a Globalized World (GloPhi) at Hildesheim University

Warp, Weft, and Way readers will be interested in the work being done at “Philosophizing in a Globalized World (GloPhi),” a Center for Advanced Studies at Hildesheim University funded by the German Research Foundation. Their avowed aim is to pluralize the canon of philosophy by combining methodologies from cross-cultural philosophy and decolonial theory. See here for more information.