In this paper, I intend to argue that a conception of philosophy as a way of life needs two elements： persuasion and love. Faced a false conception of philosophy very specialized, professional, and modem that has con...In this paper, I intend to argue that a conception of philosophy as a way of life needs two elements： persuasion and love. Faced a false conception of philosophy very specialized, professional, and modem that has condemned to oblivion philosophy itself, we propose a therapeutic conception （of philosophy） as a way of life, a philosophy that is not reduced to a conceptual content, but that is related to the way of life of the philosopher.展开更多
Classical Indian Buddhist philosopher Nfigfirjuna is known for his philosophical interpretations of the central conception of Buddha＇s teachings, the philosophy of Middle Path （Mfidhyamika）. Notably he had introduc...Classical Indian Buddhist philosopher Nfigfirjuna is known for his philosophical interpretations of the central conception of Buddha＇s teachings, the philosophy of Middle Path （Mfidhyamika）. Notably he had introduced the unique concept of ＂emptiness＂ （gnyata） to explain the Middle Path philosophy： the philosophical meaning of ＂emptiness＂ is dependent co-arising of various elements that support the worldly experience. This study investigates how this concept is used in explaining the subjectivity of a human person and how it is used for interpreting the unique process of human existence. The discussions on subjectivity are imprecise in modern and contemporary philosophy. But Ngrjuna＇s philosophy enables us to explain subjectivity conclusively, without it having to be explained using metaphysical positions. Sunyata may introduce a new definition for the concept of non-self： not for negating the self but for caring self from the problems of life by making it centered in the Middle Path （madhyama-pratipat）, where one may naturally be able to use his wisdom （prajh） as the guiding principle： not mere knowledge （na）. Sanyat is understood using fourfold （catus.kot.i） logical analysis, not twofold analysis employed normally by other philosophers. Here, the Buddhist notion of self as the co-dependent evolution process of five aggregates （pahcaskandhas） is reinterpreted using the unique method of tetralemma （catus.kot. i）. This critique explores the Western philosophy＇s conceptions on ＂human reasoning, ＂logocentrism,＂ and the objective analytical method of modern science.＂ After careful cross examination of the rival philosophical positions, it reasons out why the ＂rationale of nature＂ is always superior to ＂human reasoning＂ and ＂logocentrism,＂展开更多
The Old Man and the Sea is Hemingway＇s last important work which is regarded by critics as the summary of his life and his philosophic views on life. The paper attempts to approach the story with the view of existent...The Old Man and the Sea is Hemingway＇s last important work which is regarded by critics as the summary of his life and his philosophic views on life. The paper attempts to approach the story with the view of existentialism, which flourished at the time when Hemingway began to create this novella. In light of the existentialist views on the relations between being-in-itself and being-for-itself, and existence and essence, the author tends to analyze the interactions of the characters of the story with themselves through the choices they made, which is to be of significance for those who strive to understand Hemingway＇s work and who try to comprehend human beings and themselves.展开更多
This paper discusses two alternative ways of existence of the human being： participation in the concept of reason and participation in the events of the world. It is argued that the traditional Western philosophy fro...This paper discusses two alternative ways of existence of the human being： participation in the concept of reason and participation in the events of the world. It is argued that the traditional Western philosophy from Parmenides and Plato to R. Descartes, I. Kant, and G. Hegel can be described as the participation in the concept of reason. This tradition is characterized by the goal to assimilate the things of the world by concept of reason and in accordance with a project reason, to change the world. This led to the ecological catastrophe. We can overcome ecological catastrophe successfully only when we change the paradigm and shift to the paradigm of participation in the events of the world. The article is based on A. Badiou＇s conception of event which is contrasted with Descartes＇ conception of the event. Argumentation of the article shows the importance of B. Spinoza＇s monistic philosophy for our epoch, which is struck by the ecological disaster. This philosophy is not characterised by the war between things and thoughts, because both thoughts and things are attributes expressing the same God or Nature and are not in conflict with one another.展开更多
The writings of Soren Kierkegaard provide a theological and philosophical foundation as experienced in the life of a tragic hero and a knight of faith. It will be shown that the ethical dimensions as experienced by Ab...The writings of Soren Kierkegaard provide a theological and philosophical foundation as experienced in the life of a tragic hero and a knight of faith. It will be shown that the ethical dimensions as experienced by Abraham in ＂Fear and Trembling＂ provide a core ontology in the lives of Jan Patocka and Viktor Frankl. Jan Parocka developed a phenomenological, Kierkegaardian, existential approach in his writings and lectures that enabled him to undergo his interrogations by the Czech communist secret police. The World War II concentration camp experiences of Viktor Frankl led him to develop a Kierkegaardian, existential, noetic approach to discover meaning under inhuman living conditions. We, as humans, are searching for a spiritual core to transcendence, as seen in the writings of Kierkeggard to reach beyond ourselves in the fully human dimension of the good, the true, and the beautiful in faith and in love. Special attention will be given to the lives of Patocka, Frankl, and how Kierkegaard＇s theology and philosophy contribute a transhistorical, phenomenological, existential, meaning-centered approach to understanding trauma, especially in the lives of returning veterans and their families.展开更多
The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along wi...The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along with the moral habits an agent develops in this life explain the obstinacy of the dead, that is, how the agent＇s irrevocable decision to side with the God of Abraham, or not, is possible. For that to be the case, the existential relationships that generate personal identity in this life must accompany （individuate） the subject in the next life. In Christian philosophy, the person-making process mirrors the relationships of the Blessed Trinity. While Martin Heidegger is not a Christian philosopher, his view on truth and being＇s unconcealedness provides a useful piece of the argument to continue the Thomistic case for personal immortality. Heidegger is not a catholic philosopher, but the focus he places on being＇s unconcealedness is consonant with the focus Thomas Aquinas puts on the intelligibility of being. While Heidegger＇s discussion of being is rooted in Dasein＇s finitude, the Thomistic interpretation of being situates unconcealedness within the perspective of God＇s creative act. His vision resets the possibility of applying Heidegger＇s fundamental ontology beyond temporality. The paper develops through a discussion of the Tree＇s ＂branches, trunk, and roots＂ to conclude that the Christian perspective transforms Heidegger＇s view of death into ＂the ultimate possibility of possibility.＂展开更多
In creating his theory of wisdom, Feng Qi emphasizes that Chinese Marxist philosophy should move from the theory of knowledge to a discourse on wisdom and concentrate on Chinese people＇s living world and life existen...In creating his theory of wisdom, Feng Qi emphasizes that Chinese Marxist philosophy should move from the theory of knowledge to a discourse on wisdom and concentrate on Chinese people＇s living world and life existence, so as to provide a spiritual home for the Chinese people and thereby highlight the importance of human nature, personality, and human freedom in Chinese Marxist philosophy. In researching human nature, he expatiates on the problems of mind （xin） and human nature （xing）, natural instincts （tian xing） and virtues （de xing）, and general character and individual character; in emphasizing personality, he puts forward the idea that the ideal personality is ＂free personality as a member of ordinary people;＂ in probing into the problems of human freedom, he explains how to get freedom from the basis of practical materialism. This philosophical inquiry enriches Chinese Marxist philosophy＇s researches into the understanding of humanity and the connection of philosophy with the living world, which opens up a new area of development in the sinicization of Marxist philosophy.展开更多
At some point,we＇ve all come across someone who seems to think life is a soap opera-and they＇re the star：Every breakup,minor setback,and work spat calls for drama and despair.
The centuries before the renewal of both the scientific-philosophical and the everyday thinking were dominated by the Christian way of approaching all the phenomena of human life, love and sexuality not excluded. Howe...The centuries before the renewal of both the scientific-philosophical and the everyday thinking were dominated by the Christian way of approaching all the phenomena of human life, love and sexuality not excluded. However, the tran- scendence-based other-worldly concepts to grasp what happens in human beings-in- the-flesh were challenged by this-worldly concepts, whose explicit or hidden origin was the Epicurean approach to the same phenomena. In my paper, I outline firstly some of the main tenets of Lucretius the Epicurean poet, secondly, I characterize the basic convictions of Christian theological-philosophical writers, in order to present, thirdly, how they influenced each-other in Andreas Capellanus＇ treatise On Love.展开更多
Dialogue at the level of value beliefs is the underlying dimension of philosophical dialogue, yet at the same time it is the hardest and most problematic. Benign dialogue at the level of value beliefs makes the premis...Dialogue at the level of value beliefs is the underlying dimension of philosophical dialogue, yet at the same time it is the hardest and most problematic. Benign dialogue at the level of value beliefs makes the premise for real open and deep communication and interaction between Chinese, Western and Marxist philosophies, as well as significant content of and essential path to understanding of our own existing, configuring philosophy in contemporary China, and generating our national ＂philosophical ego＂ in the context of the life world of the Chinese.展开更多
Marx＇s hermeneutics has introduced the concept of praxis into the basic dimension of all understanding and interpretation, and thus has accomplished the “Copernican Revolution” in the history of hermeneutics. This ...Marx＇s hermeneutics has introduced the concept of praxis into the basic dimension of all understanding and interpretation, and thus has accomplished the “Copernican Revolution” in the history of hermeneutics. This means that we are unable to understand and interpret human existential practical activities from the perspective of idealistic texts, but should understand and interpret the idealistic texts fi＇om the perspective of human existential practical activities. In this way, Marx＇s hermeneutics of praxis has pointed us the general direction of the development of hermeneutics.展开更多
文摘In this paper, I intend to argue that a conception of philosophy as a way of life needs two elements： persuasion and love. Faced a false conception of philosophy very specialized, professional, and modem that has condemned to oblivion philosophy itself, we propose a therapeutic conception （of philosophy） as a way of life, a philosophy that is not reduced to a conceptual content, but that is related to the way of life of the philosopher.
文摘Classical Indian Buddhist philosopher Nfigfirjuna is known for his philosophical interpretations of the central conception of Buddha＇s teachings, the philosophy of Middle Path （Mfidhyamika）. Notably he had introduced the unique concept of ＂emptiness＂ （gnyata） to explain the Middle Path philosophy： the philosophical meaning of ＂emptiness＂ is dependent co-arising of various elements that support the worldly experience. This study investigates how this concept is used in explaining the subjectivity of a human person and how it is used for interpreting the unique process of human existence. The discussions on subjectivity are imprecise in modern and contemporary philosophy. But Ngrjuna＇s philosophy enables us to explain subjectivity conclusively, without it having to be explained using metaphysical positions. Sunyata may introduce a new definition for the concept of non-self： not for negating the self but for caring self from the problems of life by making it centered in the Middle Path （madhyama-pratipat）, where one may naturally be able to use his wisdom （prajh） as the guiding principle： not mere knowledge （na）. Sanyat is understood using fourfold （catus.kot.i） logical analysis, not twofold analysis employed normally by other philosophers. Here, the Buddhist notion of self as the co-dependent evolution process of five aggregates （pahcaskandhas） is reinterpreted using the unique method of tetralemma （catus.kot. i）. This critique explores the Western philosophy＇s conceptions on ＂human reasoning, ＂logocentrism,＂ and the objective analytical method of modern science.＂ After careful cross examination of the rival philosophical positions, it reasons out why the ＂rationale of nature＂ is always superior to ＂human reasoning＂ and ＂logocentrism,＂
文摘The Old Man and the Sea is Hemingway＇s last important work which is regarded by critics as the summary of his life and his philosophic views on life. The paper attempts to approach the story with the view of existentialism, which flourished at the time when Hemingway began to create this novella. In light of the existentialist views on the relations between being-in-itself and being-for-itself, and existence and essence, the author tends to analyze the interactions of the characters of the story with themselves through the choices they made, which is to be of significance for those who strive to understand Hemingway＇s work and who try to comprehend human beings and themselves.
文摘This paper discusses two alternative ways of existence of the human being： participation in the concept of reason and participation in the events of the world. It is argued that the traditional Western philosophy from Parmenides and Plato to R. Descartes, I. Kant, and G. Hegel can be described as the participation in the concept of reason. This tradition is characterized by the goal to assimilate the things of the world by concept of reason and in accordance with a project reason, to change the world. This led to the ecological catastrophe. We can overcome ecological catastrophe successfully only when we change the paradigm and shift to the paradigm of participation in the events of the world. The article is based on A. Badiou＇s conception of event which is contrasted with Descartes＇ conception of the event. Argumentation of the article shows the importance of B. Spinoza＇s monistic philosophy for our epoch, which is struck by the ecological disaster. This philosophy is not characterised by the war between things and thoughts, because both thoughts and things are attributes expressing the same God or Nature and are not in conflict with one another.
文摘The writings of Soren Kierkegaard provide a theological and philosophical foundation as experienced in the life of a tragic hero and a knight of faith. It will be shown that the ethical dimensions as experienced by Abraham in ＂Fear and Trembling＂ provide a core ontology in the lives of Jan Patocka and Viktor Frankl. Jan Parocka developed a phenomenological, Kierkegaardian, existential approach in his writings and lectures that enabled him to undergo his interrogations by the Czech communist secret police. The World War II concentration camp experiences of Viktor Frankl led him to develop a Kierkegaardian, existential, noetic approach to discover meaning under inhuman living conditions. We, as humans, are searching for a spiritual core to transcendence, as seen in the writings of Kierkeggard to reach beyond ourselves in the fully human dimension of the good, the true, and the beautiful in faith and in love. Special attention will be given to the lives of Patocka, Frankl, and how Kierkegaard＇s theology and philosophy contribute a transhistorical, phenomenological, existential, meaning-centered approach to understanding trauma, especially in the lives of returning veterans and their families.
文摘The ＂Tree of Death＂ is a metaphor I use to unlock my Christian assumptions on how the dead attain eternal existence in the afterlife state. The tree＇s unconcealedness, in this life and presumably the next, along with the moral habits an agent develops in this life explain the obstinacy of the dead, that is, how the agent＇s irrevocable decision to side with the God of Abraham, or not, is possible. For that to be the case, the existential relationships that generate personal identity in this life must accompany （individuate） the subject in the next life. In Christian philosophy, the person-making process mirrors the relationships of the Blessed Trinity. While Martin Heidegger is not a Christian philosopher, his view on truth and being＇s unconcealedness provides a useful piece of the argument to continue the Thomistic case for personal immortality. Heidegger is not a catholic philosopher, but the focus he places on being＇s unconcealedness is consonant with the focus Thomas Aquinas puts on the intelligibility of being. While Heidegger＇s discussion of being is rooted in Dasein＇s finitude, the Thomistic interpretation of being situates unconcealedness within the perspective of God＇s creative act. His vision resets the possibility of applying Heidegger＇s fundamental ontology beyond temporality. The paper develops through a discussion of the Tree＇s ＂branches, trunk, and roots＂ to conclude that the Christian perspective transforms Heidegger＇s view of death into ＂the ultimate possibility of possibility.＂
文摘In creating his theory of wisdom, Feng Qi emphasizes that Chinese Marxist philosophy should move from the theory of knowledge to a discourse on wisdom and concentrate on Chinese people＇s living world and life existence, so as to provide a spiritual home for the Chinese people and thereby highlight the importance of human nature, personality, and human freedom in Chinese Marxist philosophy. In researching human nature, he expatiates on the problems of mind （xin） and human nature （xing）, natural instincts （tian xing） and virtues （de xing）, and general character and individual character; in emphasizing personality, he puts forward the idea that the ideal personality is ＂free personality as a member of ordinary people;＂ in probing into the problems of human freedom, he explains how to get freedom from the basis of practical materialism. This philosophical inquiry enriches Chinese Marxist philosophy＇s researches into the understanding of humanity and the connection of philosophy with the living world, which opens up a new area of development in the sinicization of Marxist philosophy.
文摘At some point,we＇ve all come across someone who seems to think life is a soap opera-and they＇re the star：Every breakup,minor setback,and work spat calls for drama and despair.
文摘The centuries before the renewal of both the scientific-philosophical and the everyday thinking were dominated by the Christian way of approaching all the phenomena of human life, love and sexuality not excluded. However, the tran- scendence-based other-worldly concepts to grasp what happens in human beings-in- the-flesh were challenged by this-worldly concepts, whose explicit or hidden origin was the Epicurean approach to the same phenomena. In my paper, I outline firstly some of the main tenets of Lucretius the Epicurean poet, secondly, I characterize the basic convictions of Christian theological-philosophical writers, in order to present, thirdly, how they influenced each-other in Andreas Capellanus＇ treatise On Love.
文摘Dialogue at the level of value beliefs is the underlying dimension of philosophical dialogue, yet at the same time it is the hardest and most problematic. Benign dialogue at the level of value beliefs makes the premise for real open and deep communication and interaction between Chinese, Western and Marxist philosophies, as well as significant content of and essential path to understanding of our own existing, configuring philosophy in contemporary China, and generating our national ＂philosophical ego＂ in the context of the life world of the Chinese.
文摘Marx＇s hermeneutics has introduced the concept of praxis into the basic dimension of all understanding and interpretation, and thus has accomplished the “Copernican Revolution” in the history of hermeneutics. This means that we are unable to understand and interpret human existential practical activities from the perspective of idealistic texts, but should understand and interpret the idealistic texts fi＇om the perspective of human existential practical activities. In this way, Marx＇s hermeneutics of praxis has pointed us the general direction of the development of hermeneutics.
