Chris Fraser

New edition, with many more pictures of MacBrayne's ferries. Christie colourfully evokes a Highland childhood and a way of life long gone. He recalls runaway trains, and culprits, like the Bear; rivers teeming with salmon; glens filled with sheep heading for the sale at Lairg; and, poignantly, the post Great War Spanish flu epidemic and the moving funeral for his young sister in Inverness. In detailing his career with MacBrayne's, man and boy, we meet the unforgettable characters who captained and crewed the West Highland's stormy life lines. None more colourful than Squeaky Robertson. In his war years, we go to France with the 51st Highland Division. Avoiding the capture of his comrades, Christie goes on to fight with the Commandos in North Africa, before serving at Alamein, and Monte Cassino. After the war and back with MacBrayne's, he finds a changed company but rises to Northern Area Manager via idyllic South Uist, Inverness and Fort William. In 1961, The MacBrayne's Man decides he has had enough of the post war company, and takes over the Sub-Post Office in Aviemore, then a sleepy former railway junction.

Zhuangzi: Ways of Wandering the Way presents a richly detailed, philosophically informed interpretation of the personal and interpersonal ethics found in the Daoist classic Zhuangzi, introducing a unique Daoist approach to ethics focusing on the concept of a way and our capacity for following ways. Zhuangist thought reframes our relation to our social and natural setting while offering a distinctive, intriguing view of dao, agency, and the structure and grounds for action. At the same time, it embodies an ethical and epistemic modesty that rejects the idea of there being any uniquely privileged form of the good life or any authoritatively correct way to interact with others. The Zhuangist dao is inherently plural, provisional, and protean, and we are likely to find a variety of justifiable ways of wandering along it. Any number of these might contribute to a well-lived, fulfilling life, marked by appropriate social interaction, provided it is pursued with adept responsiveness to our circumstances and awareness of our place in the larger scheme of things. The book examines what prominent threads of discourse in the Zhuangzi have to say about the nature and content of dào, how we might guide our path along dào, the personal training and cultivation involved, and the criteria by which to evaluate our performance. The discussion illustrates how a Zhuangist outlook in metaethics, ethics, moral psychology, and moral epistemology remains relevant to readers today.

Chris Fraser presents a rich and broad-ranging study of the culminating period of classical Chinese philosophy, the third century BC. He offers novel and informative perspectives on Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Legalism, and other movements in early Chinese thought while also delving into neglected texts such as the Guanzi, Lu's Annals, and the Zhuangzi 'outer' chapters, restoring them to their prominent place in the history of philosophy. Fraser organizes the history of Chinese thought topically, devoting separate chapters to metaphysics and metaethics, political philosophy, ethics, moral psychology, epistemology, and philosophy of language and logic. Focused specifically on the last century of the Warring States era, arguably the most vibrant, diverse period of philosophical discourse in Chinese history, the discussion covers the shared concerns, rival doctrines, and competing criticisms presented in third-century BC sources. Fraser explicates the distinctive issues, conceptual frameworks, and background assumptions of classical Chinese thought. He aims to introduce the philosophical discourse of early China to a broad audience, including readers with no prior familiarity with the material. At the same time, the thematic treatment and incisive interpretations of individual texts will be of interest to students and specialists in the field.

FREEDOM: How Teens Can Use Mindful Compassion to Thrive in a Chaotic World and Grow a Purpose-driven Life is designed to be a haven for you. A place where your thoughts and feelings are validated and accepted without judgment. In order to thrive in this fast-paced, sometimes chaotic world, and grow a purpose-driven life, we need to be intentional and mindful in our thoughts, in our words, and in what we choose to do. Everyone struggles in this life, even if it doesn't seem like it at times. And during these times of struggle, we can turn to self-compassion to help us through these difficult situations. So even amidst the chaos, you can have a calm inner-knowing that you have the knowledge, skills, and understanding to handle the bumps in the road. A hands-on, practical resource, FREEDOM is a book that you can come back to again and again. In Part 1: The Untold Story, you'll learn the background on why we think, feel, and act the way we do. Part 2: The Practices, is a collection of practices to help you navigate the difficult emotions and thoughts that may come up as you are living boldly according to your values and your purpose-driven life. The more you practice these skills the more they will start naturally showing up for you when you need them the most. These practices work over time and can be a comfort to you for your whole life.

Mohism was an ancient Chinese philosophical movement founded in the fifth century BCE by the charismatic artisan Mozi, or "Master Mo." Its practitioners advanced a consequentialist ethics, along with fascinating political, logical, and epistemological theories, that set the terms of philosophical argumentation and reflection in China for generations to come. Mohism faded away in the imperial era, leaving the impression that it was not as vital as other Chinese philosophical traditions, yet a complete understanding of Confucianism or Daoism is impossible without appreciating the seminal contribution of Mohist thought. The Philosophy of the Mozi is an extensive study of Mohism, situating the movement's rise and decline within Chinese history. The book also emphasizes Mohism's relevance to modern systems of thought. Mohism anticipated Western utilitarianism by more than two thousand years. Its political theory is the earliest to outline a just war doctrine and locate the origins of government in a state of nature. Its epistemology, logic, and psychology provide compelling alternatives to contemporary Western mentalism. More than a straightforward account of Mohist principles and practice, this volume immerses readers in the Mohist mindset and clarifies its underpinning of Chinese philosophical discourse.

Mohism was an ancient Chinese philosophical movement founded in the fifth century BCE by the charismatic artisan Mozi, or "Master Mo." Its practitioners advanced a consequentialist ethics, along with fascinating political, logical, and epistemological theories, that set the terms of philosophical argumentation and reflection in China for generations to come. Mohism faded away in the imperial era, leaving the impression that it was not as vital as other Chinese philosophical traditions, yet a complete understanding of Confucianism or Daoism is impossible without appreciating the seminal contribution of Mohist thought. The Philosophy of the Mozi is an extensive study of Mohism, situating the movement's rise and decline within Chinese history. The book also emphasizes Mohism's relevance to modern systems of thought. Mohism anticipated Western utilitarianism by more than two thousand years. Its political theory is the earliest to outline a just war doctrine and locate the origins of government in a state of nature. Its epistemology, logic, and psychology provide compelling alternatives to contemporary Western mentalism. More than a straightforward account of Mohist principles and practice, this volume immerses readers in the Mohist mindset and clarifies its underpinning of Chinese philosophical discourse.

An anthology in honor of Professor Chad Hansen, Ethics in Early China is an original collection of ground-breaking essays exploring classical Chinese ethical and psychological theories. Part One presents a series of provocative interpretations of classical Chinese ethical theories, while Part Two relates early Chinese thought to contemporary ethical discourse.