标签：relationism

An Initial Exploration of Simmel’s Philosophy of Money

History of Science & Scholarship2014.07.01
An Initial Exploration of Simmel’s Philosophy of Money
From ancient times on, philosophy has always concerned itself only with the pure world of ideas and grand ultimate questions, and has prized “useless learning.” Money, by contrast, plainly sat ill with the interests of mainstream philosophers. Even after contemporary philosophers began to turn their gaze toward technology, money as this distinctive artifact still rarely became a topic of central concern. Georg Simmel (1858–1918) was an exception. From *The Psychology of Money* to *The Philosophy of Money*, money was one of the focal points and pivots of his philosophical system. In particular, the massive *The Philosophy of Money* has had a far-reaching influence; even today, whenever one speaks of “philosophy…
philosophy freedom media Kant
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2014年7月1日
Politics Is Dispute—Starting from the Smoke-Free Campus

Culture & Public Commentary2011.11.03
Politics Is Dispute—Starting from the Smoke-Free Campus
I don’t know when the sign “This campus is a smoke-free school” was first hung at Peking University’s gate. I once even saw security guards seriously stop people who were coming in with cigarettes in their mouths. Today, in the midst of the poisonous haze (November 1), I noticed this sign again, so I’ll jot down a few thoughts while I’m at it~ I don’t smoke, and I don’t like other people smoking around me. But I do not support a “smoke-free campus.” In particular, a “smoke-free Peking University” is even worse. Because a smoking ban runs counter to freedom. Smoking is harmful, and it affects other people’s physical and…
culture China freedom commentary
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2011年11月3日
The benevolent are invincible: some associations

Culture & Public Commentary2010.10.09
The benevolent are invincible: some associations
Sensitive words have won the Sensitive Nobel Prize; in any case, that is worth celebrating. Unfortunately, China still seems not to have a “citizen” who has won the Sensitive Nobel Prize. A lot of classmates on the campus network have once again dug up Mr. Sensitive Word’s “final statement” from the eve of last Christmas to share. It was titled “I Have No Enemies,” and of course the relevant information was quickly harmonized. I ought to have reposted this article, but for the safety of my blog, I decided against it. To express remembrance and respect, I will at least quote one line here; I won’t note the source, since…
culture freedom politics Confucianism
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2010年10月9日
Winter Break Essay No. 2: Relativism

Philosophy & Thought2010.02.01
Winter Break Essay No. 2: Relativism
Modernity is accompanied by a certain nihilism, and that is natural: because the past is severed from the future, the present becomes a void point. But relativism is not necessarily nihilism; or rather, its aim is precisely the opposite. Relativism, or “relationism,” emphasizes not rupture but connection. Relativism does not accept an isolated point; any node has meaning only in the midst of the network of relations that interconnect it. Nihilism loses all aspiration, but relativism is not without aspiration; what it aspires to is connection. Relativism does not reject certainty, but what is called certainty can be understood as those important “nodes” in the whole web of relations. These…
philosophy ontology God relativism
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2010年2月1日
Communication and Chess

History of Science & Scholarship2009.09.12
Communication and Chess
At times, people put to me a question in different ways: in communication, how do I view or handle the status relation between the two sides of a dialogue? For instance, in speaking with teachers and elders, must one inevitably look up to them, or, correspondingly, when speaking with juniors, does one unconsciously have to look down from a position of superiority? This is especially so lately with some younger students who communicate with me: they cannot help but face such a contradiction. They expect some kind of equal dialogue and do not wish always to be in a weak position, yet to try to counter my own forcefulness in…
scholarship discussion equality experts
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2009年9月12日
The Problem of Degrees of Freedom in Love

Life & Notes2009.06.25
The Problem of Degrees of Freedom in Love
This, really, is not even a true problem; I’m just using these two keywords to say a few things. First, there are two layers to the matter here: one is the problem of love, the other is the problem of freedom, and these two problems can often be discussed separately. For instance, sometimes a relationship runs into problems, and on the surface it seems that the conflict was caused by mutual interference with each other’s freedom; but in fact some act of interference or intrusion is at most merely the spark that set things off, while the more fundamental problem had already been planted long before. As for the more…
philosophy freedom autobiography human nature
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2009年6月25日
Relationism and the Philosophy of Communication

Philosophy & Thought2009.03.24
Relationism and the Philosophy of Communication
Thinking of the “banner” of the latest version of old-school philosophy. It could be called “relationalism” or “communication philosophy.” Earlier, I preferred “pluralism” and “perspectivism,” and felt that “relativism” was too extreme or too forceful. But now it suddenly strikes me: why not translate “relativism” as “relationalism”? That better matches the original meaning of “relate,” and it can also express a line of thought that suits my taste more. When people hear “relativism,” they’re likely to shout: “Huh? Everything is relative?” But if I say “everything is related,” doesn’t that feel rather different? If “absolutism” pursues the “absolute,” then what does “relativism” pursue? What does it mean to “pursue the…
philosophy discussion pluralism relativism
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2009年3月24日
A Set of Questions About Falling in Love

Life & Notes2008.11.30
A Set of Questions About Falling in Love
A Set of Questions About Dating I saw this set of questions on Mist’s campus page (though he likes to change his name; still, I’ll allow myself to address him this way) (http://blog.xiaonei.com/GetEntry.do?id=341170940&owner=5675), and he didn’t go on to tag anyone else. But looking at these kinds of questions, I thought they might be somewhat helpful in introducing my views on love, so I took the initiative and asked him to tag me~ After all, if I always use my own language and perspective to explain my views on love and such, the things I focus on may be completely at cross purposes with what ordinary people care about….
autobiography emotion trust relationism
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2008年11月30日
[Repost] Global “Sexual Happiness” Survey: Mainland Chinese Men Have an Average of 3.5 Sexual Partners

Life & Notes2007.10.11
[Repost] Global “Sexual Happiness” Survey: Mainland Chinese Men Have an Average of 3.5 Sexual Partners
http://news.qq.com/a/20071011/002018.htm Ahem… I won’t paste the original text here; everyone can go look for it themselves… Of course, this kind of survey is still worth knowing about. I just want to raise a question: take a look at this, 16. How many male partners do you have? (asked of women) New Zealand (20.4) Global average (7.3) Hong Kong (4.1) Mainland China (2.3) India (1.8) 17. How many female partners do you have? (asked of men) Austria (29.3) Hong Kong (14.2) Global average (13.2) Mainland China (3.5) Clearly, the survey shows that men generally have more opposite-sex partners than women do. What does that mean? Are men always more promiscuous than…
everyday life sociology relationism statistics
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2007年10月11日
Preserving Common Ground, Seeking Difference—A Pluralist View of Dialogue

Philosophy & Thought2006.11.07
Preserving Common Ground, Seeking Difference—A Pluralist View of Dialogue
Keeping the Common While Seeking the Different “Seek common ground while reserving differences” is a good phrase. When the various parties differ in position and judgment, one can first set aside hostility, consider those claims on which everyone agrees, cooperate first, and then gradually negotiate the differences. This attitude is very important in many practical activities that require cooperation, and especially necessary for urgent issues such as ecological protection. However, “seeking common ground while reserving differences” is not enough to capture the attitude toward exchange held by pluralism. It is a very good attitude for cooperation, but not quite the best attitude for dialogue. The pluralist view of dialogical coexistence…
philosophy culture China discussion
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2006年11月7日