Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Dao : Ancient Chinese Thought in Modern American Life

This highly original work introduces the ideas and arguments of the ancient Chinese philosophies of Confucianism and Daoism to some of the most intractable social issues of modern American life, including abortion, gay marriage, and assisted suicide.* Introduces the precepts of ancient Chinese philosophers to issues they could not have anticipated * Relates Daoist and Confucian ideas to problems across the arc of modern human life, from birth to death * Provides general readers with a fascinating introduction to Chinese philosophy, and its continued relevance * Offers a fresh perspective on highly controversial American debates, including abortion, stem cell research, and assisted suicide Cover 1 Title Page 5 Copyright 6 Contents 9 Acknowledgments 11 Introduction 15 Chapter 1 Key Concepts of Confucianism and Daoism 27 An ancient Chinese sensibility 27 Confucianism 30 Daoism 40 Notes 48 Chapter 2 Birth 51 Confucianism on the beginning of life and abortion 53 Daoism on the beginning of life and abortion 61 Confucianism and Daoism on in vitro fertilization 69 Confucianism and Daoism on stem cell research 74 Notes 77 Chapter 3 Childhood 79 Confucian childhood 82 Daoist childhood 88 Confucian and Daoist parenting 93 When children do bad 99 Notes 105 Chapter 4 Work 107 Confucians and work 110 Daoists and work 116 Notes 121 Chapter 5 Marriage and Family 123 Confucians on marriage and family 126 Daoists on marriage and family 129 Same-sex marriage? 134 Confucian and Daoist understandings of divorce 141 Notes 145 Chapter 6 Public and Political Life 147 Confucian leadership 150 Daoist leadership 165 The question of democracy 176 Notes 180 Chapter 7 End of Life 183 Confucianism on death and dying 187 Daoism on death and dying 194 Mourning 201 Notes 206 Index 209 "This highly original work shows how the ancient principles of Confucianism and Daoism can be applied to the manifold social problems facing contemporary America. Drawing on the wisdom of China's great traditions of humaneness, duty, integrity, and non-action, the author links the ideas of Confucian and Daoist thinkers with a range of issues that trace the arc of human life." -- Back cover This book shows how the ancient principles of Confucianism and Daoism can be applied to the manifold social problems facing contemporary America