Modernization discourse with Chinese characteristics

Despite sustained criticism of Western modernization theory since the 1970s, several distinct groups of theorists have sought to renovate it. Further, some of the strongest evidence of the theory's continued vitality comes from discussions of China, the fastest developing contemporary society. A close reading of a diverse group of texts reveals that a lively, creative, and global Chinese modernization discourse has emerged in recent decades. That discourse draws heavily on classical modernization theorists like Max Weber, acknowledges the successors and critics, and often integrates these Western theories with Chinese social and philosophical traditions. This essay maps the Chinese modernization discourse, highlights its relationships with other modernization discourses, and situates it within historical and theoretical contexts.     

试论儒家德治思想基础、特征及其局限

儒家政治思想是中国传统意识形态的基石,儒家的德治思想又是这个基石的内核,由此形成了独特的德治思维.儒家思想家们把从事政治活动的每个人都想象成为在道德方面完善的主体,这也是中国传统政治中的主流意识形态.本文在分析儒家德治思想的基础和特征的同时,从政治思维、政治理性、方法论等方面又进一步分析了儒家德治思想的局限.     

The Past as Prologue in Life Extension

Aging research may significantly lengthen human life spans in the foreseeable future. This paper argues that we do not need to wait until this happens to prepare for the dislocations that may result. Increased longevity over the past century has already raised urgent, unresolved issues of equity, social cohesion, and human dignity. These developments, and our past experiences in dealing with them, provide a basis for revisiting the basic questions raised by all attempts to extend human life: what does life mean, and why is it worth extending?     

Life Extension: Rolling the Technological Dice

The idea of radically extending average human life expectancy is an ancient one, but for most of human history exceedingly utopian. There is now, however, a revival of that idea, with some scientists and others arguing that it is possible and desirable. But the main problem with most of the life extension enthusiasm is that it is based almost entirely on the desire of some individuals to make it happen. The social consequences of success of such a venture are, however, either ignored altogether or dismissed on the grounds that any problems can be dealt with. In the end, none of our present human and social problems would be helped by radically longer lives and no obvious social benefits have been advanced to support it.

儒家法律传统与中华法系

儒家法律传统是中国古代社会农耕生产方式、宗法家庭组织、君主专制政体三合一基本特征的历史产物。先秦儒家法律传统以“礼治”、“德治”、“人治”等思想为其基本内容。西汉以后又不断充实完善，成为支配古代法律实践的正统价值观。     

刑罚结构部分调整之理性探索

我国的刑罚结构是典型的重刑结构,最主要的表现是以生命刑和重度自由刑为中心.就目前而言,严格限制以至不适用死刑是我国大致可以接受的废除死刑的方式.对无期徒刑也需做出必要的控制,尤其要注意无期徒刑与有期徒刑的衔接问题.而对短期自由刑改革的最直接有效的方式是将短期自由刑易科为非监禁方式的替代型改革方案.     

孝道的重建——论儒家“孝”观念的生活情感本源

“孝”乃儒家思想的核心观念之一。在孔孟那里，孝道的建构本是立足于作为本源的生活情感的。但经过轴心期大转型以后，孝道逐渐僵化为一种道德教条，而遗忘了生活情感这个大本本源。当下我们要重建孝道，绝不能仅仅将孝道理解为道德教条，而应该进一步追溯其本源，立足于儒家“孝”观念的生活情感本源来重建孝道。     

Tominaga Nakamoto and the Origin of Japan's Oriental Studies

Tominaga Nakamoto, a Japanese scholar of the early 18th century, changed the basic pattern of Japans Buddhist and Confucianist studies with his books Shutsujō Kōgo (Words after Enlightenment) and Okina no Fumi (The Writings of an Old Man). In the former book, based on his analysis of Chinese culture in terms of Confucianism and Indian culture from the viewpoint of Buddhism, he compared Indian, Chinese and Japanese culture and summarized their characteristics with the words “fanciful”, “elegant” and “simple” respectively. In the meantime, in combing through the development of Buddhism he put forward a set of key concepts in relation to his research methodology, extending his domain from country-specific studies to Asia regional studies and finally Oriental studies. In the latter book, he used the concept “makoto”, roughly meaning “practicing the good”, to synthesize the Way of the three nations. His study transformed Japanese Confucianism and Buddhism from a system of belief to an academic field. Despite his rational analysis and criticism of the traditional oriental culture, Tominaga consciously identified with it and inherited it. As the first scholar in early modern Japan who developed his own research methodology, Tominaga is the trailblazer of Oriental studies.     

中国封建正统法律思想的形成——从夏朝到西汉

中国封建正统法律思想在形成与发展的过程中呈现的是一种继承和交融的关系。从夏商的神权法思想至西周的礼到春秋战国时期的儒、法、道、阴阳,各种思想相互交融,彼此吸收。法家的法律思想在春秋战国占优势,西汉之初黄老思想为统治者所接受,至汉武帝在全国疆域统一的条件下,董仲舒吸收百家之长,提出了新儒家思想。所以至西汉,“罢黜百家,独尊儒术”,中国封建正统法律思想由此而形成。     

太虚“人间佛教”理念的提出及影响

本文认为,太虚提出佛教革命,进而提出人生佛学、人生佛教,再提出人间佛教,可见人间佛教有一个形成、发展的过程。因此,太虚"人间佛教"理念的提出是其佛教改革运动的产物,对佛教的改革运动产生了深远的影响,奠基了后来人间佛教思想的发展与实践。