"Confucius Lives Next Door" is a book written by T.R. Reid, an American journalist who lived in Japan for several years. The book is a cultural study of Japan, and how its unique culture has contributed to its success and prosperity.
In the first chapter of the book, Reid introduces the concept of "cultural DNA" and how it shapes a society's values and behavior. He uses the example of Confucianism, an ancient Chinese philosophy that emphasizes virtues such as respect, responsibility, and duty, and how it has influenced Japanese culture.
Reid then goes on to explore various aspects of Japanese culture, including the importance of education, the concept of "face," and the role of the family in society. He also discusses the role of the government in shaping Japanese culture, and how the country's unique economic system has contributed to its success.
One of the key themes of the book is the concept of "wa," or harmony, which is a central value in Japanese culture. Reid argues that the emphasis on harmony has helped Japan to avoid many of the social and political problems that plague other countries.
Throughout the book, Reid provides numerous examples of how Japanese culture has shaped the country's social and economic systems, and how these systems have in turn shaped the culture. He also explores the challenges that Japan has faced in recent years, including the economic recession of the 1990s and the earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
Overall, "Confucius Lives Next Door" is a fascinating and informative look at the unique culture of Japan and how it has contributed to the country's success. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the cultural forces that shape our world.
Confucius Lives Next Door
. This quote recurs throughout the book. One can summarize Judeo-Christianity in the same way. Culture Comparison Moving his family from the US to Tokyo late in the 20th century, the author encounters surprisingly high levels of safety, trust and honor in each of the Asian countries he visits. The difference may lie in how much individuals are willing to concede to groups, and vice versa i. Confucius criticized those who were disrespectful to the elders because by doing that it breaks the four great human relationships which are husband-wife, child-parent, minister-lord, and friend-friend Confucius 4.
Chapter Notes on 'Confucius Lives Next Door' by T R Reid
The values of loving neighbors as we love ourselves, respecting for our parents, discouragement of lazy behaviors, are both agreed across the value systems for both Western countries and East Asian cultures. Reid is a reporter, documentary film correspondent and author. He is well aware that his defense of Japan's tight society is subject to criticism, and at the end of his book he concedes the widespread corruption underlying so many Confucian societies, the diversity that makes overall judgments tricky and the racial homogeneity that may play a great part in enforcing Confucian harmony. Reid argues that East Asian culture based on the Confucius teachings are not any different from the Judeo-Christian morals that the western countries have been exposed to. I lived there for 10 years with my family, and very happy campers we were. The five principles were confucious program key points in Chinese tradition. Reid is trenchant, funny, and deeply knowledgeable reporter and now he brings this erudition and humor to the five years he spent in Japan--where he served as The Washington Post's Tokyo bureau chief.
Confucius Lives Next Door Analysis
Malaysia, in particular, has a schizophrenia from its mixed racial identity and the growth of Islamic economic power. But eBay EachNet soon lost its market leadership position to Taobao. China, for instance, embraced Confucianism in their ruling classes but later it was abandoned. This book is not a be all end all analysis of Asian culture but it sure is a fascinating look at how life is lived in the East and the author presents his findings and conclusions in a palatable and readable format that will give any reader things to think about and discuss. Reid's interesting description of a new-employee ceremony at a large Japanese corporation, in this case the electronic giant NEC, highlights his celebration of how Confucian ritual dignifies life in the Japanese workplace. It would destroy group commitment.
Analysis of Confucius Lives Next Door Essay
Reid, at one point, quotes a Chinese Malaysian as saying the affirmative action put in place to bring the Malay population out of poverty in comparison to the Chinese population was not perfect, but necessary for the culture, might still be said today, but that commentator would also say that it is time to change that affirmative action to one based on income, rather than race, as the ongoing New Economic Plan is increasingly seen as a racial divider rather than one that is actually improving race relations. Matsuda, who personified ancient Confucian values that are still dominant in Japan. These attitudes are necessary because they can guide people to support the above five relations. These great thinkers sought to lay down a path towards goodness and righteousness in society. It was a term given to people who cause trouble or shame onto other members of their group.
