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 conflict of these "isms" involves each seeking "knowledge" to attack one another while rarely encouraging each other. This era of great transformation especially requires calm thinking rather than the fervor of following various 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.
Mr. Zhao Tingyang's classic work in 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. Within it, he also proposes the equally renowned "-free" philosophical methodology. This revised edition adds much new content, further maturing the "possible life" theory.