The present study examines the four core concepts that underpin the various theories of cultivation of East Asian Confucian philosophy： self （ji,已）, cultivation （xiu, 修）, transformation （hua, 化）, and nurture...The present study examines the four core concepts that underpin the various theories of cultivation of East Asian Confucian philosophy： self （ji,已）, cultivation （xiu, 修）, transformation （hua, 化）, and nurture （yang,餋）. The discussion is divided into six sections. The first section, the introduction, explains the significance of the issue in question. The second section examines the substantial notion of ＂self＂ as expounded in the Confucian intellectual tradition and the corresponding concept of selthood or personhood. Confucianism stresses that （1） personal selthood is based on the freedom of subjectivity （subjective volition）, and （2） society＇s values and norms originate in this freedom of subjectivity. The third section discusses the functional concept of cultivation, focusing on the fact that in Confucian theories the terms ＂cultivation＂ and ＂body＂ are always combined to form the concept of ＂self-cultivation.＂ Moreover, Confucian thinkers tend to discuss the effort of self-cultivation in the context of a body-mind continuum. Indeed, they often use orientational metaphors in order to describe the efforts entailed by cultivation. The fourth section analyzes the linguistic setting and context of the functional concept of transformation within Confucian philosophy of the concrete self. The term ＂transformation＂ indicates clearly that Confucian philosophy is a transformative philosophy. The fifth section analyzes the functional concept of nurture, stressing that Confucius＇ two greatest followers, Mencius and Xunzi, represent two opposed approaches to nurturing. Meneius stresses that one should undertake the effort of ＂nurturing qi,＂ that is, produce culture through natural cultivation, while Xunzi advocates artificially instilling culture in order to discipline, tame, and order nature. Mencius and Xunzi both turn to the container metaphor in their discussions of self-cultivation. The article concludes that the various cultivation activities advocated by these two disparate Confucians are based on two assumptions： （1） the self coincides with the physical body, and （2） the physical self is steeped in and interactive with the cultural values of society. In sum, the functional concept of self-cultivation is an important pillar of Confucian theories of self-cultivation.展开更多
This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a st...This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a strategic term and group identification, ＂Asian American＂ lends itself to the illusion of unity and homogeneity. Scholars differ in the way they elect to demarcate Asian American literature. One of the fundamental barriers to understanding and appreciating Asian American literary expression has been the existence of race stereotypes about Asians in American popular culture. For many Asian American writers, ethnic authenticity is a necessary but weak choice Most early immigrant writers write to challenge the negative view of Asia in the West and see themselves as ambassadors of goodwill to the West. The purpose is to mark difference as exotica and appeal to the benign curiosity of the Western readers while appeal to notions of universal humanity. This type of strong ethnic quotient writing continues to exist in various guises even today. The trade publishers have a predilection for Asian American personal narratives that stress the ＂model minority＂ discourse, ＂good workers＂ image, and Asian Americans＇ ability to accommodate to the basic rules of American society. Asian American writers never stop attempting to build bridges. But we should remind ourselves that boundary crossing must not be merely an aesthetic and intellectual exercise .展开更多
China＇s social transformation since reform and opening up in 1978 has provided a unique social laboratory for Chinese researchers of social psychology. In order to describe, understand and interpret the psychological...China＇s social transformation since reform and opening up in 1978 has provided a unique social laboratory for Chinese researchers of social psychology. In order to describe, understand and interpret the psychological and behavioral logic of the Chinese people, we need to call on social psychology research or social transition psychology research that looks directly at social transition, in order to go beyond the cultural exceptionalism and static society approaches. Multiple group membership is the potential core construct of such a psychology.展开更多
文摘The present study examines the four core concepts that underpin the various theories of cultivation of East Asian Confucian philosophy： self （ji,已）, cultivation （xiu, 修）, transformation （hua, 化）, and nurture （yang,餋）. The discussion is divided into six sections. The first section, the introduction, explains the significance of the issue in question. The second section examines the substantial notion of ＂self＂ as expounded in the Confucian intellectual tradition and the corresponding concept of selthood or personhood. Confucianism stresses that （1） personal selthood is based on the freedom of subjectivity （subjective volition）, and （2） society＇s values and norms originate in this freedom of subjectivity. The third section discusses the functional concept of cultivation, focusing on the fact that in Confucian theories the terms ＂cultivation＂ and ＂body＂ are always combined to form the concept of ＂self-cultivation.＂ Moreover, Confucian thinkers tend to discuss the effort of self-cultivation in the context of a body-mind continuum. Indeed, they often use orientational metaphors in order to describe the efforts entailed by cultivation. The fourth section analyzes the linguistic setting and context of the functional concept of transformation within Confucian philosophy of the concrete self. The term ＂transformation＂ indicates clearly that Confucian philosophy is a transformative philosophy. The fifth section analyzes the functional concept of nurture, stressing that Confucius＇ two greatest followers, Mencius and Xunzi, represent two opposed approaches to nurturing. Meneius stresses that one should undertake the effort of ＂nurturing qi,＂ that is, produce culture through natural cultivation, while Xunzi advocates artificially instilling culture in order to discipline, tame, and order nature. Mencius and Xunzi both turn to the container metaphor in their discussions of self-cultivation. The article concludes that the various cultivation activities advocated by these two disparate Confucians are based on two assumptions： （1） the self coincides with the physical body, and （2） the physical self is steeped in and interactive with the cultural values of society. In sum, the functional concept of self-cultivation is an important pillar of Confucian theories of self-cultivation.
文摘This paper traces the social limitations in the development of Asian American literature. The label ＂Asian American literature＂ is so instrumental in instituting the literature, can also regulate creativity. As a strategic term and group identification, ＂Asian American＂ lends itself to the illusion of unity and homogeneity. Scholars differ in the way they elect to demarcate Asian American literature. One of the fundamental barriers to understanding and appreciating Asian American literary expression has been the existence of race stereotypes about Asians in American popular culture. For many Asian American writers, ethnic authenticity is a necessary but weak choice Most early immigrant writers write to challenge the negative view of Asia in the West and see themselves as ambassadors of goodwill to the West. The purpose is to mark difference as exotica and appeal to the benign curiosity of the Western readers while appeal to notions of universal humanity. This type of strong ethnic quotient writing continues to exist in various guises even today. The trade publishers have a predilection for Asian American personal narratives that stress the ＂model minority＂ discourse, ＂good workers＂ image, and Asian Americans＇ ability to accommodate to the basic rules of American society. Asian American writers never stop attempting to build bridges. But we should remind ourselves that boundary crossing must not be merely an aesthetic and intellectual exercise .
文摘China＇s social transformation since reform and opening up in 1978 has provided a unique social laboratory for Chinese researchers of social psychology. In order to describe, understand and interpret the psychological and behavioral logic of the Chinese people, we need to call on social psychology research or social transition psychology research that looks directly at social transition, in order to go beyond the cultural exceptionalism and static society approaches. Multiple group membership is the potential core construct of such a psychology.
