Clark Tang

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Jesus As a Philosopher: At the interface between Ethics, Economics, Politics, and Civics over 2000 years ago

Philosophy & Methodology of Economics eJournal, 2020

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus faced nearly the same kind of economic, institutional, political, and ... more Over 2000 years ago, Jesus faced nearly the same kind of economic, institutional, political, and social problems that confronted Socrates over 400 years earlier in Athens, Greece. A certain segment of the upper income class in Jerusalem, called Sadducees, who were allied with Israel’s aristocrats, were engaging in practices that were damaging the economic and social health of Israel.<br><br>Jesus was a teacher of ethics and moral philosophy in Israel. Ethics dealt with the self (starting with those actions that provided security and safety through prudent behavior for the individual) while moral behavior concentrated on the interactions between one’s self and other selves (benevolence). Jesus’s main philosophical concern was teaching, applying, and living virtue ethics. Jesus’s main teaching tool was the parable, which was usually a short, fictitious story that made a clear cut ethical or moral point.<br><br>Jesus’s version of virtue ethics was very concise, ...

Comparing Augustine and Confucius on their Smithian Type 'The Poor Man’s Son' Analysis in the Theory of Moral Sentiments: They Are Very Close

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

Both Confucius and Augustine present very similar type arguments about how we can be happy in thi... more Both Confucius and Augustine present very similar type arguments about how we can be happy in this life. Both, like Smith after them, reject the utilitarian claim that wealth, money and riches will make one happy. Smith’s argument is more detailed and longer. However, they all arrive at the same conclusion.

Buddha and Adam Smith on Attaining Happiness: A Very Great Degree of Similarity in Their Analysis and Conclusions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

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Adam Smith and Confucius on Virtue Ethics: Very Similar Conclusions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

An analysis of Confucius and Smith demonstrates that both are presenting arguments that are extre... more An analysis of Confucius and Smith demonstrates that both are presenting arguments that are extremely close in their conclusions.The Analects present a powerful case against utilitarian ethics in a manner which is very similar to Smith’s argument against utilitarianism. Smith and Confucius analyze and apply virtue ethics in a manner that is consistent and coherent. A reader who understands Confucius will understand Smith, although Smith’s rationale for the practice of virtue ethics is more detailed and extensive than that of Confucius. On the other hand ,one can argue that Confucius reaches the same conclusions in a more simple and direct manner than Smith. Reading both reinforces the views expressed by the other.

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