Philosophy

Articles and Chapters

1. D. Wong, "Rights and Community in Confucianism", in Confucian Ethics: a Comparative Study of Self, Autonomy and Community, edited by Kwong-loi Shun and David B. Wong (November, 2004), Cambridge University Press.
   (last updated on 2008/01/07)

   Abstract:
   This paper argues that there is a basis in the Confucian moral tradition for defending a right to dissent and to free speech, but that this right would be defended on a "communal" ground that such a right would help to promote the common good, rather than an "autonomy" ground that individuals have an interest in expressing themselves that must be defended against the interests of the community. I argue that rights that are grounded in either the common good or the good of individual autonomy are dependent on certain forms of community for their defense and realization.