Public Event

How to Eat: A Confucian Guide to Dining Together - Lecture for SACU Are table manners important? Confucius once said: “Exemplary persons do not take leave of their authoritative conduct even for the space of a meal.” Even during a meal, one’s consideration for the comfort of fellow diners provide pertinent opportunity to cultivate consummate conduct (ren 仁). Beyond avoiding a faux pas, eating together compels us to bring out the better part of ourselves with every mouthful. The Analects of Confucius, trans. Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont Jr. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1998), 90. This lecture is one […]

Anglo-Chinese Relations in an Upended World: Free online talk for SACU by Andrew K P Leung, SBS, FRSA Introduction: The liberal, value-and rules-based world order led by the United States since the end of the Second World War has now been upended by President Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) rules-of-the-jungle iconoclasm, rattling relations with the entire world, traditional allies not exempted. Many nations including EU Member States are recalibrating relationships with other regions and nations with growth potential, especially China, as the world's second largest economy, ideological and other risks regardless. As home to Adam Smith and the world's […]

How to Entertain: A Confucian Guide to Being the Host or Guest - Lecture for SACU The essence of propriety is to “be humble and respect others,” according to the Chinese classic on ritual. This dual sentiment is manifestly lived out in the interaction between host and guest, which can range from a casual visit to a friend to meeting parents-in-law for the first time. Through various situations, we examine how Confucian thought esteems adaptability to the context in these complementary roles. This lecture is one of a series: A Practical Guide for Every Day - The Art of Living […]

We may spend more time during the day and most days of the week with colleagues than family members, which makes work relations vital to realising the good life. In early Confucian thought, the shared goal of mutual personal growth for both leader and subordinate was to ensure a thriving community. We bring to light how the seemingly hierarchical work setting accommodated a dynamic nature to the relationship – drawing on Confucius and other exemplars who creatively engaged with others even in difficult situations. Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the […]

Leadership has never been easy – even over two thousand years ago in ancient China. Confucius and those who followed in his footsteps travelled to various states to offer ideas on better leadership for all levels of government. They argued that wise leadership is not a skill developed in isolation, but rather the culmination of an embodied virtuosity in interactions. For example, the exemplary Shun developed within a dysfunctional family, influencing his closest family members as well as his community and state. Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the Han dynasty, […]