Professor Franklin Perkins of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa Department of Philosophy; Professor Jim Behuniak of Philosophy at Colby College; and Associate Professor George Tsai of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. 

The Center for Chinese Studies introduces a new book by Professor Franklin Perkins along with a Faculty Dialogue. For more than two thousand years, the writings of the Confucian philosopher Mengzi have been a source of guidance and inspiration for those set on doing something to improve the state of the world. Doing What You Really Want: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mengzi presents a coherent, systematic, and accessible explanation of Mengzi's philosophy. The book covers everything from the place of human beings in nature to human psychology and philosophy of emotions, to the various ways in which we can deliberately change and cultivate ourselves. Mengzi was concerned not just with theory but also effective action. Perkins thus includes a collection of practical advice and a Confucian analysis of politics-oriented toward how individuals can make a difference in the world. This event is co-sponsored by the UHM Department of Philosophy.

Franklin Perkins is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and is the editor of the journal Philosophy East and West. Before coming to UH, he taught at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and at DePaul University (Chicago), where he was Director of the Chinese Studies Program; Jim Behuniak is a Professor of Philosophy at Colby College.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Hawai`i in 2002; George Tsai is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii. His interests are primarily in moral and political philosophy, and, more recently, early Chinese philosophy.