Talk: Interpreting the Mohist’s three standards, by Yuen Ming De (21 October 2010, 2-3pm)

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Philosophy Seminar Series: 21 October 2010, 2-3pm, AS3-05-23;
Speaker: Yuen Ming De , Current MA Student, NUS;
Moderator: Dr. Christopher Brown

Abstract: Chad Hansen in his book A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought, and in other publications, argues for the position that (pre-buddhist) early Chinese philosophy has no concept of truth. Hansen argues that this position makes it more plausible to interpret the Mohist’s three standards as proposals about appropriate use of language, rather than proposals about the truth of statements. Bryan W. Van Norden, in his book Virtue Ethics and Consequentialism in Early Chinese Philosophy points out some general objection against the interpretation and problems with Hansen’s interpretation of each standard. I attempt to evaluate and reply to these objections.

Ming De

About the Speaker: Yuen Ming De is currently pursuing a Masters degree in NUS. His areas of interest include early Chinese Philosophy.

More information on the Graduate Seminar Series can be found here.

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