Geir Sigurðsson – författare

A reconsideration of the Confucian concept li (ritual or ritual propriety), one that references Western philosophers as well as the Chinese context.Honorable Mention, 2018 Outstanding Book Award presented by the Society of Professors of Education Geir Sigurðsson offers a reconsideration of li, often translated as "ritual" or "ritual propriety," one of the most controversial concepts in Confucian philosophy. Strong associations with the Zhou period during which Confucius lived have put this concept at odds with modernity's emphasis on progressive rationality and liberation from the yoke of tradition. Sigurðsson notes how the Confucian perspective on learning provides a more balanced understanding of li. He goes on to discuss the limitations of the critique of tradition and of rationality's claim to authority, referencing several Western sources, notably Hans-Georg Gadamer, John Dewey, and Pierre Bourdieu. An exposition of the ancient Chinese worldview of time and continuous change further points to the inevitability of li's adaptable and flexible nature. Sigurðsson argues that Confucius and his immediate followers did not endorse a program of returning to the Zhou tradition, but rather of reviving the spirit of Zhou culture, involving active and personalized participation in tradition's sustention and evolution.

This book questions whether the ancient, iconic Chinese book of divination, The Classic of Changes (Yijing) might help us navigate the precarious, complex, and seemingly unpredictable intricacies of present contemporary times. The essays contained in this book respond affirmatively to this question in seeking to show how The Classic of Changes can help us think through the particularly human challenge of establishing meaning and making choices between alternatives. The author’s book explores and discusses novel and often surprising ways for contemporary readers to interpret and apply this ancient Chinese classic, touching upon fields such as narration, technology, ecology, psychology, aesthetics, ontology, cognition, semiotics, and gender issues. This book is of appeal to both students and informed readers with an interest in the mysteries of The Classic of Changes, and to researchers in areas of Chinese philosophy, Chinese history, religious studies, and East Asian approaches to health and well-being.

This book questions whether the ancient, iconic Chinese book of divination, The Classic of Changes (Yijing) might help us navigate the precarious, complex, and seemingly unpredictable intricacies of present contemporary times. The essays contained in this book respond affirmatively to this question in seeking to show how The Classic of Changes can help us think through the particularly human challenge of establishing meaning and making choices between alternatives. The author’s book explores and discusses novel and often surprising ways for contemporary readers to interpret and apply this ancient Chinese classic, touching upon fields such as narration, technology, ecology, psychology, aesthetics, ontology, cognition, semiotics, and gender issues. This book is of appeal to both students and informed readers with an interest in the mysteries of The Classic of Changes, and to researchers in areas of Chinese philosophy, Chinese history, religious studies, and East Asian approaches to health and well-being.

This book discusses scholars who have all engaged in comparative philosophy projects, many of whom first rose to fame because of their penetrating insights into the similarities and differences in “Western” and “Chinese” thought. They all went beyond simply looking at how one thinker, one school, or one tradition relates to another: each draws on sources from China and the West. However, their projects—from role ethics to concrete metaphysics, from critiquing individualism to balancing harmony and justice—are attempts at re-evaluating the way we view the world and live our lives. These projects are systematic, thorough tong 通, and comprehensive descriptions of ourselves, the world, and our interactions with others. They are all comparative, but, on top of this, they also aim at making a point that transcends their comparisons. The book thus shows that these great thinkers draw on a multiplicity of resources, and while they might find some ideas closer to home than others, comparison is a necessary constant. Using traditional Confucian vocabulary, this type of philosophizing is described as practicing xue 学, normally understood as “studying” or “learning.” But, it also means to copy, imitate, model, or emulate. In the process of xue, one imitates, but with a nod to differences. This book honors four models of such an attitude to xue. In its examination of some of the most influential scholars in Chinese thought, this is a seminal book for scholars and students in Chinese and comparative philosophy.

This book discusses scholars who have all engaged in comparative philosophy projects, many of whom first rose to fame because of their penetrating insights into the similarities and differences in "e;Western"e; and "e;Chinese"e; thought. They all went beyond simply looking at how one thinker, one school, or one tradition relates to another: each draws on sources from China and the West. However, their projects-from role ethics to concrete metaphysics, from critiquing individualism to balancing harmony and justice-are attempts at re-evaluating the way we view the world and live our lives. These projects are systematic, thorough tong ?, and comprehensive descriptions of ourselves, the world, and our interactions with others. They are all comparative, but, on top of this, they also aim at making a point that transcends their comparisons. The book thus shows that these great thinkers draw on a multiplicity of resources, and while they might find some ideas closer to home than others, comparison is a necessary constant. Using traditional Confucian vocabulary, this type of philosophizing is described as practicing xue ?, normally understood as "e;studying"e; or "e;learning."e; But, it also means to copy, imitate, model, or emulate. In the process of xue, one imitates, but with a nod to differences. This book honors four models of such an attitude to xue. In its examination of some of the most influential scholars in Chinese thought, this is a seminal book for scholars and students in Chinese and comparative philosophy.

New and ambitious approaches to contemporary China, informed by perspectives taken from civilizational analysis and the specific concept of social imaginaries.This collection of essays by some of today's most prominent scholars on Chinese society, culture, and philosophy offers unusually comprehensive perspectives on contemporary China—a "broad way to China." Most of the essays are informed by the ambitious and erudite approaches of civilizational analysis developed in the theoretical and empirical lifework of Jóhann P. Árnason. Some authors explore China's long history and enduring philosophical and political traditions, revealing their continued influence on contemporary social imaginaries. Others critique the narrow limitations of most Euro-American views and discussions of China, highlighting how these can be an obstacle to a fruitful dialogue between China and "the West." Additionally, some essays present new perspectives on the potential value of Chinese social, political, and philosophical insights, suggesting they could inspire improvements in social, political, and philosophical dialogue within Euro-American cultures themselves.

New and ambitious approaches to contemporary China, informed by perspectives taken from civilizational analysis and the specific concept of social imaginaries.This collection of essays by some of today's most prominent scholars on Chinese society, culture, and philosophy offers unusually comprehensive perspectives on contemporary China—a "broad way to China." Most of the essays are informed by the ambitious and erudite approaches of civilizational analysis developed in the theoretical and empirical lifework of Jóhann P. Árnason. Some authors explore China's long history and enduring philosophical and political traditions, revealing their continued influence on contemporary social imaginaries. Others critique the narrow limitations of most Euro-American views and discussions of China, highlighting how these can be an obstacle to a fruitful dialogue between China and "the West." Additionally, some essays present new perspectives on the potential value of Chinese social, political, and philosophical insights, suggesting they could inspire improvements in social, political, and philosophical dialogue within Euro-American cultures themselves.