TY - BOOK ID - 58416774 TI - The wrong of rudeness : learning modern civility from ancient Chinese philosophy PY - 2019 SN - 9780190880996 9780190880972 9780190880989 9780190880965 0190880961 019088097X 0190880996 PB - New York, N.Y. Oxford University Press DB - UniCat KW - Philosophy KW - Philosophy and psychology of culture KW - History of civilization KW - China KW - Courtesy KW - Philosophy, Chinese KW - Philosophy, Confucian KW - Confucian philosophy KW - Confucianism KW - Chinese philosophy KW - Civility KW - Courteous behavior KW - Courteousness KW - Discourteous behavior KW - Discourteousness KW - Graciousness KW - Impoliteness KW - Manners KW - Polite behavior KW - Politeness KW - Rudeness KW - Ungraciousness KW - Etiquette KW - S02/0200 KW - S11/0600 KW - S12/0222 KW - China: General works--Civilization and culture, nation, nationalism KW - China: Social sciences--Customs, etiquette KW - China: Philosophy and Classics--Chinese philosophy: Ancient UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:58416774 AB - Being rude is often more gratifying and enjoyable than being polite. Likewise, rudeness can be a more accurate and powerful reflection of how I feel and think. This is especially true in a political environment that can make being polite seem foolish or naive. Civility and ordinary politeness are linked both to big values, such as respect and consideration, and to the fundamentally social nature of human beings. This book explores the powerful temptations to incivility and rudeness, but argues that they should generally be resisted. Drawing on early Chinese philosophers who lived during great political turmoil but nonetheless sought to "mind their manners," it articulates a way of thinking about politeness that is distinctively social. It takes as a given that we can feel profoundly alienated from others, and that other people can sometimes be truly terrible. Yet because we are social neglecting the social and political courtesies comes at great cost. The book considers not simply why civility and politeness are important, but how. It addresses how small insults can damage social relations, how separation of people into tribes undermines our better interests, and explores how bodily and facial expressions can influence how life with other people goes. It is especially geared toward anyone who feels the temptation of being rude and wishes it were easier to feel otherwise. It seeks to answer a question of great contemporary urgency: When so much of public and social life with others is painful and fractious, why should I be polite? ER -