ISBN:
9781597977487
,
1597977489
Language:
English
Pages:
Online Ressource (xi, 199 p.)
Edition:
1st ed.
Edition:
Online-Ausg.
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als Vernezze, Peter, 1959- Socrates in Sichuan
DDC:
306.0951090511
Keywords:
Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)
;
Since 2000
;
Peace Corps (U.S.)
;
Peace Corps (U.S.)
;
China
;
Americans China
;
Americans
;
POLITICAL SCIENCE ; Public Policy ; Cultural Policy
;
SOCIAL SCIENCE ; Anthropology ; Cultural
;
SOCIAL SCIENCE ; Popular Culture
;
Americans
;
Manners and customs
;
Social conditions
;
Angewandte Ethik
;
China Social conditions
;
2000-
;
China Social life and customs
;
China
;
China
;
China Social life and customs
;
China Social conditions 2000-
;
China
;
Electronic books
;
Electronic books
Abstract:
This unprecedented portrait of the Chinese mind allows the up-and-coming generation--known as the ba ling hou, or "post-1980s generation"--To express its unique perspective on China--and America. In addition, the book provides the reader with a crash course in Chinese culture, both ancient and modern, as students discuss everything from Confucius to the Edison Chen scandal (a Chinese pop star whose sexually explicit pictures were posted on the Internet), from classical Chinese poetry to the Super Boy and Super Girl televised talent competitions (Chinese versions of American Idol). Throughout, the author provides the intellectual and historical context necessary to appreciate and understand today's China. --Book Jacket
Abstract:
When Peter J. Vernezze took a sabbatical from his position as a philosophy professor to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in China, he supplemented his main task--teaching English at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu--with leading a weekly philosophical discussion group of undergraduate and graduate students. In each session the Chinese students debated topics as diverse as the status of truth, the meaning of life, the reality of fate, the definition of sanity, the necessity of religion, and the value of romantic love. Each of the twenty-five chapters of Socrates in Sichuan focuses on the topic of one evening's discussion, which was always in the form of a question: How are ancient conceptions of virtue holding up in a society overrun by capitalism? Are traditionally conservative sexual values going the way of the rickshaw? Can an atheistic country even have a sense of morality?
Abstract:
What am I doing here? -- What is the good life? -- What is the impact of technology on our lives? -- What is a good marriage? -- What is the meaning of life? -- What is a hero? -- Fate or free will? -- What is sanity? -- What is a good education? -- What is human nature? -- Are there two sides to every coin? -- Is marriage necessary? -- Is romantic love a myth? -- What is the difference between Eastern and Western thinking? -- What is the value of the past? -- What is funny? -- What are the limits of privacy? -- Is prostitution wrong? -- What is truth? -- Meltdown -- What is gender? -- When is a boycott justified? -- What is our obligation in a disaster? -- One year later : Chinese sex parks, swine flu, and my return to Chengdu -- Final thoughts : the Tao of Angelina.
Note:
Includes bibliographical references and index. - Description based on print version record
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