Session 2 - March 24

[Melina Melgoza]

Hello Todd, 

You make some great points regarding the rise in Chinese symbool tattoos in many parts of the world. I wonder to what extent some communities may consider this cultural appropriation. I've read multiple takes on this topic. Some individuals on the web mentioned that the Chinese language is seen as a tool for communication and that the Chinese language is a carrier of Chinese culture--but that the individual characters themselves do not have cultural significance. However, I did read a few articles that mentioned that the worry about having Chinese characters as cultural appropriation is not a worry, but rather the content of the tattoo is. Folks mentioned that often times since individuals don't speak or understand the language, they just get a "translation" service to see the character, many of the tattoos end up being "monstrosities." Often times, the characters are horribly written, wrong, or mean something completely different than what the intention was. 

I found it very interesting that the term "cultural appropriation" was actually not very meaningful in many parts of the world and that it held much more meaning in the "western world." 

[Melina Melgoza]

1. What is the basic nature of human beings?

We greatly believe in logic, rational thought, and science. We care equally for everybody, regardless of our personal relationships. So, if my father killed someone, I'd have to turn him in and have him pay for the consequences. We must care for society equally. 

2. Describe the organization and conduct of an ideal society. How is it organized? What are aims of the state and how do the people and the state interact? To whom do we owe loyalty?

Our great leader Mozi posed that we shoud live as organized organisms. We must not be wasteful and inefficient. We must be organized always. Conflicts are born from the absence of moral uniformity found in our human state. We must follow what is wrong and what is right. We must choose leaders who will surround themselves with righteous followers.  Shi/Fei. We believe in a meritocratic government--where we give responsibilities to those who deserve it. We owe loyalty to our fierce leaders and each other.

3. What are the core components of education in that ideal society? How are people taught? What are they taught?

We are against Confucianism. There is a need for individual piety and submission to the will of heaven. We deplore the Confucian emphasis on rites and ceremonies as a waste of government funds. We are ALL equal in the eyes of heaven. Again, our power should be based on meritocracy, or those who are worthy of receiving power.

4. How can we move from the society we have to the ideal one? What is to be done? 

My ideal society must be an "unadorned purely functional culture; having an abundance of necessities and a complete absense of luxurious frills." (Schwartz, 154) 

 

[Todd Rutley]

This poll asks readers to express an opinion on whether Xi Jinping can best be described as Confucianist or Legalist based on a review of 10 examples of evidence under each philosophical category. 

The purpose of the poll is to teach understanding of traditional Chinese philosophies and how they can be used in any political era to understand and evaluate political beliefs.  

To provide a framework for the poll, information supporting each side is presented below.

Evidence Supporting View that Xi Jinping’s Beliefs can best be described as Confucian

1. China has sponsored the creation of hundreds of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms worldwide to promote Chinese culture.  There are no Legalist Institutes! No Marxist Institutes! No Mao Zedong Institutes either!
2. In 2007, Xi Jinping was put in charge of preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.  The Beijing Olympics made many references to Confucianism but none to Legalism or to Marxism-Leninism. 
3. Chinese media have shown many family pictures of Xi Jinping with his parents. For example, walking with his mother and pushing the wheelchair of his late father.  These show his respect for the Confucian values of family piety.
4. Xi Jinping visited the Confucian Mansion in Qufu on 11/26/2013, where he purchased two books "The Interpretation of Confucius's Family Language" and "The Analects of Confucius".  This shows his devotion to learning and virtuous self-cultivation. 
5. On May 4, 2014, Xi Jinping went to Peking University to respectfully visit Tang Yijie, the president of the Chinese Confucius Institute. Another clear sign of Xi’s moral views.
6. Xi Jinping addressed a meeting of the International Confucian Federation (9/24/2014) where he made many pro-Confucian statements.  
7. According to an analysis by the Party newspaper People Daily, Confucius is the philosopher most quoted by Xi Jinping. By 2015, Xi Jinping had quoted The Analects 11 times, Book of Rites 6 times, Mencius 4 times, and Xunzi 3 times.
8. Xi Jinping is portrayed by many scholars as being Confucian. For example, the legal scholar Jiang Shigong has portrayed the Xi era in glowing Confucian terms.  Daniel A. Bell, who has published works on the “China Model” and Confucianism, concurs with Jiang Shigong in his respect of Xi.
9. Fenzhi Zhang wrote a book called: “Xi Jinping: How to Read Confucius and Other Chinese Classical Thinkers”. He notes: “The most important private activity for Xi Jinping…is reading… particularly works of traditional Chinese culture and the philosophy of Confucius, with its focus on society, self-education, and governance. Having used the knowledge gained from his reading to achieve leadership of China, he encourages everyone around him to love and read good books. Xi believes that reading and learning are not only necessary requirements for good leadership, but for a healthy society generally. Accordingly, he has made reading the classics of Confucius and other thinkers a requirement for Party Leaders.”
10. Jiang Qing (Author) and Daniel A. Bell (Editor) also wrote the book: ”A Confucian Constitutional Order: How China's Ancient Past Can Shape Its Political Future” (Amazon) This scholarly perspective indicates how China may develop into a more benevolent and enlightened state following the inspiration of Confucius and the wise leadership of Xi Jinping.

Evidence Supporting View that Xi Jinping’s Beliefs can best be described as Legalist

1. Xi has led an anti-corruption campaign that has resulted in many cadres being punished, often in “show trials” designed to shame the convicted and promote adherence to Chinese law (examples. CCP Princeling Bo Xilai and security chief Zhou Yongkang).
2. Xi has consolidated his personal power by assuming many leadership positions, actions that reduce the power and upward mobility of other cadres. Xi is General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the PRC, Commander in Chief of PLA, “Core Leader”, and holds many other titles.
3. Xi Jinping succeeded in having term limits eliminated so he can stay in power indefinitely
4. Xi Jinping had the CCP constitution revised to acknowledge his thoughts and contribution to China’s political and economic development.
5. Xi Jinping has published 3 volumes of his speeches and thoughts on The Governance of China amounting to more than 1700 pages. These volumes explain proper thought and proper action on many topics to guide all CCP cadres and Chinese citizens.
6. Since the 2008 Olympics, which many international observers thought would promote political liberalization; national policies have become more repressive and authoritarian in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.  Xi says that his policies have promoted national unity and greater harmony.
7. Xi Jinping commented positively on Xinjiang in 2020 saying “Viewed overall, Xinjiang is enjoying a favorable setting of social stability with the people living in peace and contentment” (NYT, 10/26/2020). The CCP strategy in Xinjiang had been proved “totally correct,”…“it must be held to for the long term.”  A 2019 Times investigation cited internal speeches by Mr. Xi in 2014, when he called for all-out “struggle against terrorism, infiltration and separatism” in Xinjiang using the “organs of dictatorship,” and showing “absolutely no mercy.” 
8. Donald Trump praised Xi Jinping (3/2018) after the CCP eliminated the two-term limit for the presidency, paving the way for Xi to serve indefinitely. “He’s now president for life, president for life. And he’s great,” Trump said at a closed-door fundraiser in Florida.  “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday,” Trump said to cheers and applause from supporters. (Reuters.com)
9. Xi Jinping is promoting the Social Credit System (SCS) that will automate the electronic monitoring and punishment of all citizens based on their monitored behavior and credit score. SCS example:  Jaywalk, get caught on camera, and lose points. Example 2: Fall behind in debt or tax payments, and lose points. Academic Rogier Creemers has called the Social Credit System “perhaps the most prominent manifestation of the Chinese government's intention to reinforce legal, regulatory and policy processes through the application of information technology.”
10. Xi Jinping is promoting an idea he calls The Chinese Dream -- an ideal society that is internally peaceful and “harmonious” because of strict and clear laws, along with severe punishments, that regulate all social behavior.  Since the Communist Party represents the will of the people, only enemies of the Chinese people would ever oppose it. Therefore, all patriots must work together to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Poll: Is Xi Jinping a Legalist or Confucianist?

 

 

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[Todd Rutley]

Censorship from Qin Dynasty to USA in 2021

This note is a short reflection on censorship inspired by the March 24 lecture which noted Qin Shi Huang’s repression of Confucianist thinking.  

In particular, I want to compare China’s censorship to the current US situation.  This comparison should raise questions about the legitimacy and effects of limits to free expression today… in both China and the USA.

Examples of Censorship in China

Qin dynasty.  As discussed in the 03/24 lecture, the first emperor Qin Shi Huang burned Confucianist books and many Confucian scholars were killed.  He was a Legalist, so this action exemplified his opposition to intellectual tolerance and political pluralism.

CCP Era.  Mao was inspired by Qin Shi Huang’s example and boasted of burning even more books and punishing more intellectuals.  Censorship is shown in the 1957-1959 Anti-Rightist campaign; the 1966 Destruction of Four Olds campaign; the 1966-1976 Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and the 1983-1984 Anti-Spiritual Pollution Campaign.

Examples of Censorship in USA

1. Movie banning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_banned_in_the_United_States
2. President Obama used the Espionage Act to prosecute 8 reporters (see references)
3. Chelsea Manning was tried in a military court martial and sentenced to 35 years in military prison for sharing information about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
4. Edward Snowden is being prosecuted for leaking information on the NSA’s PRISM surveillance program which unconstitutionally targets US citizens.
5. Julian Assange is being pursued for publishing leaked information on wikileaks.org
6. Social media speech banning.  Many social media companies have banned individuals or groups (Twitter, Facebook & YouTube).  For example, people have been banned for statements regarding the origins of Covid-19.    
7. Amazon has removed books by racists David Duke and George Lincoln Rockwell.  However, Amazon also sponsored and profited from the fictional Nazi-themed series The Man in the High Castle.  
8. Amazon is still selling many racist books including Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf;  The Secret Story of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion; and, Sex Slaves of the Dragon Tong: a Yellow Peril Trilogy.
9. Amazon, Apple and Google all banned the Parler web service used by conservatives

How to Talk to Students about Censorship? 

This depends on how and what you teach.  

What do you think will work in your classes?  

References

https://freedom.press/news/obama-used-espionage-act-put-record-number-reporters-sources-jail-and-trump-could-be-even-worse/https://wikileaks.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube_suspensions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter_suspensions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_China

https://www.aclu.org/other/online-censorship-states

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deplatforming

https://www.npr.org/2021/01/25/960466075/is-deplatforming-enough-to-fight-disinformation-and-extremism

https://freedomhouse.org/report/china-media-bulletin/2020/2021-censorship-predictions-facial-recognition-pushback-hong-kong

Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 106 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Title 3.  The President Executive Order 13925 of May 28, 2020 Preventing Online Censorship

https://littlethings.com/lifestyle/surprising-film-tv-censorship/2826056-3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_banned_in_the_United_States

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/09/29/fire-report-students-are-censoring-their-opinions

*************************************

[Martha Pao]

Hello Melina,

Your post made me think of this story of a friend who loves Chinese culture and decided to get a tatoo.  As she did not do much research, she just went to the tatoo parlor and asked for a Chinese tatoo.  Her main concern was that the tatoo artist should be familiar with the characters and thus do a good job- she did not wish to bring her own characters since she was concerned this might prove to be too challenging to the tatoo artist. The tatoo artist obliged and promptly inked 2 characters and told my friend that it was for good luck.  Years later my friend found out that the tatoo meant "western prostitute".  Talk about a monstrosity!

[Richard Cate]

I'd love to see your Mock-Trial lessons, they sound really engaging. I used to do a mock-trial/board of inquiry on the sinking of the Titanic. The students are very surprized to find out that the owner was the American banker, J.P.Morgan (which was illeagle because the Royal Mail contract that gave it the prefix RMS required British ownership only. But without that contract White Star cud not hope to make a profit. That is why the information was whitewashed in the official inquiry.

[Guadalupe Moreno]

I believe it is important to invent what is considered "cultural heros" because it allows the community to have something or someone to justtify and enforce the believe or thought the "hero" represents. Even though it is different, in a way it can resemebles religious and spiritual entities. Within these two areas, amongst others, there is multiple people/"cultural heroes" who have gone through a journey and resulted in a moral lesson. It provides the opportunity to create morals and guidance for the community. These types of conversations can pop up in my course if I focus on folklore artwork. Talking about folklores/Cultural heros or villans about different culture and connecting it to thier own culture. That is one way to make it intresting and relevant. Further I think having them create artwork based on the folklore, for example what they think the journey was like, how the person/create looks, etc. This would be a fun art piece for them. 

 

[Guadalupe Moreno]

Early Chinese Philosophy has had an effect on all east asia not just China. China has tried putting cultural ideas out through Confusion institutes and Chinese langugae world wide, including the US. Symbols belonging to Confusionism have become very popular and still very 21st century, for example, the Ying and Yang symbol. It has been part of company logos, seen on tattoosos of younger kids, designs on clothing brands, etc. Some know its menaing of blance, within the male is the female and within the female is the male; good and bad. It has connected Asian Heritage to other locations of the world. Although, there is the concern of appropriation, symbols are the easiets to transfer to other parts of the world. With that symbol a meaning follows. Symbols travel and are important because it is one way to pass on tradtion, cultural values, teachings, and knowledge.

[Guadalupe Moreno]

I don't think school of thoughts can really develop in a vacuum. Some of the schools oppose each other and actually came to be as a direct response to each other such as Confucianisim and Doaism. It demonstrates that the schools evolved out of exterior influence. Without one of the school of thoughts the other would not exist and if we think about it a lot of belief systems tend to start of that way, in response to another. 

[Guadalupe Moreno]

I too found this practice extremly facinating. The fact that this practice can be connected to other cultures and present day religions can allow for a facinating lesson. Students can learn about the importance these oracle bones had for those cultures and religions. From there the students would design their connecting thier own personal touch to the deisgn. Teaching students to have an open mind on practices such as these and learn about them can cause them to understand others and be willing to take in the information. 

[Guadalupe Moreno]

Jade this such an excellent idea! For those of us who could not easily connect some of these themes into our courses, this activity would be excellent during my advisory. It would provide the opportunity to learn new subjects potrayed as a game. Students would be able to connect with each other throughout the process, which is one of the most important parts of the advisory but overall, they would get a different perspective of the world. 

[Taylor Bub]

I agree that it is important to identify "cultural heroes" within many different cultures.  We tend to focus in school on European cultures and the heroes of European cultures, but I think it would be super important for our students to be introduced to separate cultures and their heroes.  This lends more validity to ideas found on other cultures.  I love your idea of having students create artwork based on the folklore because this allows for students to explore other cultures that they might not otherwise experience

[Bin He]

At the end of last year, mainland China launched a TV series, "Da Qin Fu," to promote that Qin is a benevolent and righteous country and is widely welcomed by the people of the six countries. In the TV shows, the people of the six countries who Qin eliminated embraced and praised Qin...

 

Some people think this is a strong signal from the Chinese government: a powerful country needs to be reunified. The Qin become a powerful country by eradicating the six nations, unifying text, and asking the vehicle is on the same track. It is propagating national reunification and is pointing to Taiwan.

 

Here are the links for the  TV series:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13551018/

 

 

[Bin He]

Confucianism was selected as the mainstream thought by successive dynasties, mainly based on respect for the king. They think that people regard the king as a god.

At the same time, Chinese monarchs also strengthen their power through various means and policies. The monarch's words are the law, and the ruler controls the power of life and death. Any spiritual power is subservient to the ruler and serves the ruler, just as Hegel said. : "The emperor is the leader of religion and science...".

Now that people have a sense of democracy, they also know that many things should be decided democratically. However, due to the influence of the millennium, people's democratic rights have not been exercised very well. In many cases, people prefer to make decisions directly by the leader.

 

[Morgan Burt]

Discussion Question #2: 

I do not think that schools of thought develop in a vacuum. Like any other historical idea, event, philosophy etc. I think it might be unique to do a philosophy study with students that may connect American Tradition and Chinese tradition, maybe even brining in other nations. It would be interesting to look at the foundations of these societies & compare them with each other.

 

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