标签:responsibility

  • Caution in Speech and Writing

    Life & Notes

    Caution in Speech and Writing

    I have always placed great emphasis on “慎言” — caution in speech. You can tell from my article “I Despise Plagiarism in Papers” that I attach great importance to being responsible for one’s own words. I believe that every extra piece of writing left in the world is an extra responsibility taken on; things in black and white cannot be denied simply because one wants to deny them. I will have to be responsible for everything I have ever written for my whole life. If one day I discover that something I wrote before is problematic, I cannot just toss off a line like, “That was what I wrote back…

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  • On “Speaking of Principles”

    Life & Notes

    On “Speaking of Principles”

    Nicknames got started during military training, things like “XX Man.” Someone—one of my closest friends, no less—actually said that I “are the most principle-abiding person in the philosophy department,” and called me “Principle Man.” I found this extremely uncomfortable, alas. In fact, I don’t think I’m a person who talks about principles. It would be more acceptable to say I’m “the least principle-oriented” person, because what I value is the word “go with the flow.” I not only advocate “making peace with whatever comes” and “adapting to circumstances,” but as for things like “playing along with the situation,” I’m not averse to them either; I even think they are necessary…

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