On Possible Life: A Theory of Happiness and Justice

Author: Zhao Tingyang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Social changes in China are particularly rapid and diverse, with followers of various "isms" experiencing alternating joys and sorrows, creating a spectacular scene. The blind clash of various "isms" sees each seeking "knowledge" to attack one another rather than encourage each other. This era of great transformation especially requires calm thinking, not the fervor of following different schools of thought. Passion can burn out thought (as Socrates could only think in the snow). One must think coldly about this cold and cruel world—this is what constitutes thought.
Zhao Tingyang's classic work on ethics, On Possible Life, was originally published by Sanlian Bookstore (1994, 1995). Its innovative ideas and theoretical rigor possess the demeanor of ancient philosophers, sparking much debate in academia. He argues that ethics only has two fundamental issues: happiness and justice, and claims to have discovered the best theory regarding happiness and justice. In it, he also proposes the equally renowned "-free" philosophical methodology. This revised edition includes much new content, making the theory of "possible life" even more refined.