Der Aufsatz diskutiert die zentralen Gedanken Niklas Luhmanns über die Individualitätsbildung und Freiheitslage der Menschen in der segmentär, stratifikatorisch und funktional differenzierten Gesellschaft. Die Individualität und mithin die Freiheit der Menschen wird in den ersten beiden Differenzierungsformen durch Inklusion in Familien, Haushalten, Stämmen, Ständen etc. ermöglicht, also von außen bestimmt. In der modernen funktional differenzierten Gesellschaft muss man hingegen seine Individualität selbst bilden, weil man von den Funktionssystemen nur durch Anpassung an ihre Forderungen inkludiert werden kann, was heute vor allem (...) durch einen Karriereverlauf möglich ist. Als Individuum hat man aber auch die Freiheit, sich dem zu widersetzen und sich zurückzuziehen. Ferner zeichnet sich die moderne Gesellschaft dadurch aus, den Individuen die Freiheit einzuräumen, Ansprüche an sie zu stellen, damit sie ihre eigenen Strukturen dementsprechend aufbauen kann. Luhmanns Beschreibung der modernen Verhältnisse hat auch für die „Nachzügler“ der Modernisierung wie z.B. China Relevanz. (shrink)

Through an investigation of representations of the Other and ancient Chinese collective identity in classical Chinese texts, this paper offers a new perspective to modern discourse surrounding the ‘distinctions between barbarians and Chinese’ (yixia zhi bian 夷夏之辨). Providing a historical analysis of terms and tropes related to the in-group Huaxia and out-group rongdi (barbarian Other) from the Shang to the Han dynasties, it is argued that increasingly abstracted representations of the Other functioned in promoting identification and solidarity with an increasingly (...) unified Huaxia. Rather than reading depictions of the rongdi as merely a reflection of how the ancient Chinese perceived the out-group, terms that function as the ‘generalized barbarian’ are interpreted as recursive reflections of how the Huaxia in-group understood the Huaxia themselves, offering a glimpse into what was implicitly regarded as characteristic, distinctive, or even sacred to Huaxia collective identity. (shrink)

We, the residents of modernity, live in an unquiet house.This essay examines the relationship between human subjects and their built environment, but it does so less by focusing on architecture than on what one might call ‘architecture once removed'. It is less concerned with the built environment itself than with a prevalent image of that environment in ‘high’ and ‘popular’ culture, in literature, in film and painting. It is my contention that a particular unsettling image of buildings has gained increasing (...) currency in the modern epoch. I will attempt to show that such an image — and a concomitant anxiety — exists, and to offer an explanation for its provenance. (shrink)

For Confucianism nowadays, the characteristics and relationship between benevolence and filial piety are crucial topics. This paper is a discussion of the relationship between benevolence and filial piety in Confucianism from a new doctrine, i.e. the doctrine of ren wei tian sheng 人为天生 (humans are born of tian). Confucianists believed that man’s existence as a human was derived from tian. This was extended to mean that, in contrast to being born into a family, part of being ‘human’ was also given (...) by tian. The two virtues are applicable to different occasions, and require different moral competencies. Based on these premises, Confucianism conceived of an ideal order. Confucianism holds that junzi (gentlemen) involved in politics must fulfil the virtues of benevolence, justice, loyalty and trustworthiness, while xiaoren (ordinary people) are only expected to do their filial duty within the family. (shrink)

This article explores four crucial problems regarding wu 無 (nothingness or nonexistence), a central concept in Chinese philosophy: (1) What is wu, and how does it relate to you 有 (somethingness or existence)? (2) Does ‘you arise from wu’ (you sheng yu wu 有生於無), and if so, how does this ‘arising’ occur? (3) Which takes precedence in Chinese philosophy, wu or you? (4) Does pursuing wu risk leading to nihilism? Drawing on Saul Kripke’s interpretation of possible worlds, I propose that (...) wu represents a realm of potential possibilities. I align with Kripke’s view that possible worlds lack actual existence but are anchored in the actual world. This view clarifies the seemingly paradoxical nature of Chinese philosophy: it is rooted in the mundane world while embracing a transcendental wu. Moreover, it helps avoid the nihilism that might arise from interpreting wu as a groundless void. (shrink)

This article argues that tahe Sarvāstivāda School’s foundational doctrine of ‘all-existence’ is posited as an axiom rather than a proposition requiring illation. The Āgamas exclusively possess the capacity to expound upon this doctrine. This article examines two scriptural proofs presented in the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya that substantiate the doctrine of ‘the existence of the three times’. It argues for an inherent relationship between these proofs and highlights the Vijñānakāya exposition on ‘the existence of the three times’. By scrutinizing the process of establishing (...) ‘the existence of the three times’ in the Vijñānakāya, it becomes evident that its characterization of the right observation aligns closely with that of the Saṃyukta Āgama. As a result, the sūtras related to the right observation, including the inaugural sūtra of the Saṃyukta Āgama, serve as scriptural proofs for the Sarvāstivāda school’s ‘all-existing’ theory. (shrink)

James A. Diefenbeck, Wayward Reflections on the History ofPhilosophyThomas R. Flynn Sartre, Foucault and Historical Reason. Volume 1:Toward an Existential Theory of HistoryMark Golden and Peter Toohey Inventing Ancient Culture:Historicism, Periodization and the Ancient WorldZenonas Norkus Istorika: Istorinis IvadasEverett Zimmerman The Boundaries of Fiction: History and theEighteenth‐Century British Novel.

Classical Confucians, contemporary feminists, and comparative philosophers have argued that roles and relationships constitute our agency and autonomy. These philosophers argue that who we are, including our desires, intentions, and values, can be explained by our relationships—e.g. to family, peers, or friends—and roles—e.g. as teacher or daughter. However, some argue relational views fail to robustly explain autonomy in a way that captures the harms of oppression. I argue that Classical Confucian understandings of relational agency, which endorse a weak source normativity (...) and emphasize the importance of normative ‘checks’ on relationships and roles, can help answer this worry. Rituals, relationships, and roles help to shape, direct, and express natural attitudes and affects in accordance with normatively primary understandings of relational human nature and harmony. Classical Confucianism can thus shed light on the construction of relational agency and offer insight into how oppressed subjects may undermine oppression. (shrink)

Cryonics offers certain individuals the opportunity to preserve their bodies or brains with the potential for future revival. Proponents of this technology often invoke Pascal’s wager to argue that we all have a prudential reason to embrace cryonics: if future technology enables the revival of those who have been frozen, they stand to gain immense benefits; if not, undergoing cryonics is no worse than facing death directly. However, the cryonics wager carries hidden risks, not only in terms of whether future (...) generations will be able to revive us, but also in terms of how they will choose to treat us. Given that the potential returns of the cryonics wager are not necessarily positive, it is not a guaranteed investment but rather an uncertain venture. I demonstrate that the risks of cryonics vary from person to person, making it a safer option for those who are talented, kind, and hold a weak view of personal identity. This leads to a paradoxical conclusion: those most suited for cryonics might be those least keen on this technology. (shrink)

Harmony is a crucial value for resolving conflicts. Discussions on harmony in the Zhuangzi primarily focus on harmonizing ‘right and wrong’ (shifei 是非). However, it represents only a superficial understanding of Zhuangzian harmony. To explore a fundamental form of harmony would be beneficial: harmonizing ‘virtuosities’ (de 德), which can prevent conflicts and avoid domination. This paper begins by illustrating the discombobulated (zhili 支离) characteristic of virtuosities in the Zhuangzi. By comparison with harmonizing virtues in Five Conducts, we can better understand (...) the distinctive characteristic of harmonizing virtuositiesin the Zhuangzi. Moreover, a metaphor of perfectly still water suggests that in this process, virtuosities can be internally preserved and externally unshaken. This suggests to maintain one’s own virtuosities in the transformations of eventsand avoidacquiring specific names or reputations that can lead to interpersonal conflicts and domination. These two characteristics can fundamentally avoid disputes over ‘right and wrong’. (shrink)

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical care in many ways; previously, a patient would enter a hospital and had an approximate idea of what would happen upon his admission, the physician informed them about it, but in the last two years this scenario has changed. Therefore, our aim was to identify if bioethical principles are present in the physician–patient relationship and the effect of these in the health care provided, through an observational and descriptive study where patients answered the validated (...) ReMePaB questionnaire that measures the presence of bioethical principles in the physician–patient relationship, on the seventh day of their hospital stay and 24 h after discharge, during the period from 1 August to 5 November 2020. In autonomy, an improvement in the score was observed in the second application compared to the first measurement; in the principle of non-vulnerability, the same scenario was observed for the first and second measurements, respectively. In the principles of beneficence, dignity, and justice, no statistically significant differences were observed. Considering the presence or absence of bioethical aspects in health care in this pandemic creates an area of opportunity to know the feelings of the patient during the care received and to maintain what is done well and improve those aspects that can be improved. (shrink)

La relación médico-paciente (RMP) es una relación profesional-interpersonal base para la gestión de la salud. Nuestro objetivo fue desarrollar un instrumento que permitiera evaluar la presencia de los principios bioéticos en la atención médica recibida en la consulta externa de una institución hospitalaria. El instrumento quedó constituido por 21 reactivos para evaluar su confiabilidad y consistencia. El coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue de 0,81 (_p_.

Comparative study of the knowledge of IVF in medical students of universities with different ethical and humanistic valuesEstudo comparativo do conhecimento das técnicas de reprodução assistida em estudantes de Medicina de universidades com diferentes ideários éticos e humanísticosIn vitro fertilization continues to be presented as a relatively simple solution to produce a pregnancy without exposing the medical and ethical problems that this represents. This project consisted of conducting a survey to medical students from three medical schools in Mexico City with (...) different ethical and humanistic ideas with the aim of evaluating knowledge about IVF techniques and their ethical implications. The survey was applied to 404 medical students. Students in schools with personalistic ethics had a greater recognition of the bioethical principles involved in the use of these techniques. Knowledge of the technique and ethical issues involved in assisted reproduction could improve the sensitivity of medical students to ethical dilemmas that arise in their professional practice.Para citar este artículo / To reference this article / Para citar este artigoCantú-Quintanilla G, Vidal-Sentíes C, Marcó-Bach FJ, Camargo-Prieto F, Aguiñaga-Chiñas N, Contreras-Estrada D. Estudio comparativo del conocimiento de las técnicas de reproducción asistida en estudiantes de medicina de universidades con diferentes idearios éticos y humanísticos. Pers Bioet. 2020;24:166-176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5294/pebi.2020.24.2.4Recibido: 04/09/2019Aceptado: 05/08/2020Publicado: 27/11/2020. (shrink)

Recent scholarship on the philosophy of time in pre-Qin Daoist thought has not yet produced a thorough examination of dao’s relationship to time. This essay resolves this omission through a systematic study of the concept heng 恒 in pre-Qin Daoist literature. While principally expressing the ‘constancy’ of dao, heng also significantly presupposes dao’s ability to change. This change is characterized in the texts as a cyclical movement of ‘return’ and identified with the universe’s circular metanarrative of generation and reintegration. The (...) essay turns to examine pre-Qin Daoist literature’s use of primal wu 無 metaphors to describe dao. It concludes that they present dao as undifferentiated infinitude, liberating dao as heng from the tense structure of past-present-future that divides life in time. These metaphors further associate the movement of dao with the flow of time, reformulating time’s relentless ever-greater advancement into an endless cycle of creative transformation. (shrink)

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the approach to the health-disease system, raising the question about the principles of bioethics present in physician–patient relations. The principles while widely accepted may not be sufficient for a comprehensive ethical analysis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perception of these principles and the physician–patient relationship during a hospital stay through a qualitative approach. Method Sixteen semi-structured interviews took place to know the patients’ perception during their 2020 hospitalization for COVID-19. (...) The data was analyzed through the constant comparison method, creating categories and comparing them. In the end, seven categories were established and were grouped in three: bioethical principles (dignity, charity, vulnerability, autonomy), doctor-patient relationship (participant commitment, informed consent, health staff-patient relationship) and the experience of the disease (illness, the role of the family). Results The research found that most patients described a positive experience, with the feeling of having been well cared for with no sense of discrimination or injustice done. The majority also reported that their autonomy was respected in the treatment decisions. The evaluation of these attitudes is an area of opportunity, especially when the patients' vulnerability is at risk. Conclusions The ethics of virtue offers a better reflection of how human beings manifest themselves by emphasizing the development of virtuous character and behaviors that allow them to realize their values in life. Authorized by the Research Ethics Committee with registration: DI/18/105-B/3/308. (shrink)

El surgimiento de nuevas terapias ha generado un debate sobre sus implicaciones éticas, médicas y sociales. En este contexto, el personalismo ontológico se ha convertido en una corriente importante de la bioética, el cual está centrado en salvaguardar la dignidad humana y potenciar el bien integral de las personas. Sus principios orientadores son la defensa de la vida física, la justificación de toda intervención terapéutica, la exigencia del principio del consentimiento y la consideración de implicaciones sociales y de justicia en (...) la asignación de recursos. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para conocer la influencia de estos principios en el ejercicio profesional del personal de salud que trabaja en trasplantes. Se aplicó, de forma presencial y en línea, una guía de valoración ética de intervenciones sobre el cuerpo humano, adaptada con los principios de la bioética personalista. Participaron siete expertos (57 % hombres; media de 46 años) y con los resultados se hizo un análisis de contenido y de la frecuencia de los datos. Como resultado, se destaca que el trasplante de cara puede mejorar la calidad de vida del receptor, pero se encuentra limitado por el costo económico y se reporta que el trasplante de cara cumple con los principios de defensa de la vida humana física, terapéuticos, de libertad y responsabilidad, y de sociabilidad y subsidiariedad. Finalmente, se concluye que el trasplante facial es una técnica óptima y necesaria para el progreso de la medicina y que la evaluación ética es fundamental para armonizar con los avances científicos y tecnológicos. (shrink)

This paper sketches the antilogism of Christine Ladd-Franklin and historical advancement about antilogism, mainly constructs an axiomatic system Atl based on first-order logic with equality and the wholly-exclusion and not-wholly-exclusion relations abstracted from the algebra of Ladd-Franklin, with soundness and completeness of Atl proved, providing a simple and convenient tool on syllogistic reasoning. Atl depicts the empty class and the whole class differently from normal set theories, e.g. ZFC, revealing another perspective on sets and set theories. Two series of Dotterer (...) and the theorem proved by Russinoff are re-characterized in antilogistic formulas corresponding to the square of opposition and twenty-four moods of syllogism. Then the restricted equivalence between two forms of antilogism and minimal inconsistency is built up, implying the internal connection between antilogisms and minimal inconsistency and leaving two related conjectures not proved. Besides, this paper provides a new explanation for the reason why contrariety, subcontrariety, and subalternation and the nine special moods require the non-empty assumption. (shrink)

Vādanyāya is one of the representative works of Dharmakīrti. It is concerned with debate logic and deals with win-or-lose reasoning rules in the broad sense of logic. In this paper, we will concentrate our discussion on Dharmakīrti’s theory of nigrahasthāna (fault) in his debate logic, a key issue in Vādanyāya. First, we point out that the justification of three logical reasons as proof conditions of debate constitutes the rational point of departure for Dharmakīrti’s debate logic. Second, we analyze the differences (...) between Dharmakīrti’s and the Naiyāyika’s notion of debate and point out that Dharmakīrti’s ‘debate’ involves two parties (the disputant and the opponent) attempting to rationally refute the other’s opinion to persuade the other to change their wrong ideas. Last, based on the discussion of Dharmakīrti’s concept of debate logic, we identify seven types of nigrahasthāna in Vādanyāya with regard to the two parties of a debate (the disputant and the opponent). (shrink)

Name der Zeitschrift: Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft Jahrgang: 25 Heft: 2 Seiten: 287-324.

China es el mayor desafío económico de Europa. La aspiración de China por el dominio geopolítico, económico y tecnológico está tensionando gravemente sus relaciones con Europa, que se encuentran en una clara trayectoria descendente. Las posiciones se han endurecido por ambas partes, con China volviéndose económicamente hacia adentro y la Unión Europea etiquetando a China como un competidor total, con limitadas áreas para el compromiso. El enfoque de China es a largo plazo y estratégico, explotando las divisiones internas de la (...) UE y la débil cooperación transatlántica con Estados Unidos. A China le gustaría tener acceso a tecnologías avanzadas con posibles aplicaciones militares, y ha adquirido puertos europeos y otras infraestructuras estratégicas. A través de la Iniciativa de la Franja y la Ruta, se ha convertido en el mayor acreedor bilateral del mundo. En último término, China busca revisar la arquitectura económica internacional y “reescribir las reglas del juego”. La respuesta de Europa no ha estado bien coordinada, ha sido a corto plazo y fragmentaria, lo que refleja las divisiones internas en la Unión. Para responder eficazmente al desafío de China, Europa necesita superar los intereses nacionales, cooperar con sus aliados y actuar más estratégicamente. (shrink)

China's Philosophical Studies: Rediscovery of Chinese Spiritual Essence collects essential research findings of China's philosophical studies conducted by the academics at East China Normal University (ECNU) in recent years. The book covers topics including thoughts in China's Spring and Autumn Period, Chinese virtue of trust, establishing morals, historical studies of Chinese philosophy, etc. This book is the fifth volume of the WSPC-ECNU Series on China. This Series showcases the significant contributions to scholarship in social sciences and humanities studies about China. (...) It is jointly launched by World Scientific Publishing, the most reputable English academic publisher in Asia, and ECNU, a top University in China with a long history of exchanges with the international academic community. (shrink)

Konfuzius, Chinas grosser Weiser, ist 1974 wieder einmal von seinen modernen Landsleuten unter Beschuss geraten. In diesem Buch wird das radikal-kritische Bild, das man damals von Konfuzius aufstellte, anhand der Originalquellen uberpruft. Durch diese Methode der Gegenuberstellung versucht der Autor zu zeigen, dass die wahren Anliegen des Meisters und seiner Schule klarer und aktueller zutage treten. Insbesonde sollte deutlich werden, dass Konfuzius' tiefe Einsichten in das menschliche Wesen von einem unerschutterlichen, religios zu nennenden Glauben getragen wurden. In der Post-Mao-Ara (...) sind die Konfuziuskritiker bereits langst wieder selber kritisiert und der Meister teilweise positiver bewertet worden. Der Anhang gibt davon ein gutes Beispiel. Fur den nicht eingeweihten westlichen Leser aber ist die innerchinesische Konfuziusdiskussion nicht ohne weiteres verstandlich. Daher bemuht sich der Autor, die wichtigsten Daten uber Leben und Lehre des Meisters systematisch zu rekonstruieren. Manche Einzelheiten werden dabei neu uberpruft, und die vielen Zitate sind alle neu ubersetzt worden. Somit durfte diese Studie fur Fachleute wie auch fur Laien von Interesse sein. Konfuzius, Chinas immer wieder entthronter Heiliger, der ubrigens nie einen Thron innehatte, wird in seinem Lande noch lange Zeit aktuell bleiben. Daruberhinaus bleibt er eine der grossen Gestalten der Weltgeschichte, die der Menschheit in der Suche nach der wahren Menschlichkeit leuchtend vorangegangen sind.". (shrink)

Cet article propose de se pencher sur le projet de modernisation élaboré par Taha Hussein au xxe siècle. Ce projet porte sur le devenir de la société égyptienne, et à travers elle, sur celui du monde arabo-musulman pour les faire ainsi sortir de l’état de stagnation dans lequel ils se trouvaient à cette époque et les inciter à une participation active dans la civilisation humaine. Cet article conçoit le projet de Hussein comme intégré et transversal, englobant son œuvre littéraire, critique, (...) et son engagement socio-politique grâce aux multiples fonctions et responsabilités qu’il a assumées. Quatre composantes définissent ce projet : (1) la modernisation de l’individu arabe ; (2) la révolution du rapport au patrimoine ; (3) une nouvelle perception de la culture locale et de celle d’autrui ; (4) l’enseignement et la culture, levier de développement et de modernité sociétale. (shrink)