Li as a Way to Order: The Intellectual Characteristics and Historical Role of Xun Zi’s Theory of Li

Abstract

To illustrate the overall content and historical significance of Xun Zi’s political philosophy, this paper proceeds as follows. First, it reviews previous research on ideas of li (ritual and social norms) and discusses why Xun Zi’s theory of li has been undervalued. Second, it briefly introduces my earlier study of this issue, The Confucian Quest for Order: The Origin and Formation of the Political Thought of Xun Zi. Third, it proposes an analytical framework that highlights the intellectual characteristics and historical role of li in the Xunzi. This framework analyzes li in the broad sense, differentiating between the theory of li, li as an institution and li as a way to the restoration of order. Fourth, it describes some intellectual characteristics of the Xunzi’s theory of li as a way to order. Based on these discussions, this paper argues that Xun Zi’s theory of li as a way to order is a political philosophy with a broad vision which goes beyond the framework of a single dynasty or state to cover the history and modes of existence of human society as a whole.     

Genetically modified food in France: symbolic transformation and the policy paradigm shift

The priorities of French policy regarding genetically modified (GM) food shifted in the late 1990s from aggressive promotion to strict regulation based on precaution and separation of GM food. This paradigmatic policy change coincided with a rapid shift in the dominant meanings of GM food in larger French public discourses. Using data from media coverage, organizational documents, and in-depth interviews, the study examines the relationship between policy developments and GM food’s symbolic transformation. I argue that the interpretive dimension interacted with and co-evolved incrementally with formal policy developments, and that it cannot be understood as epiphenomenal to political processes, or as preceding and propelling a policy change. I identify three mechanisms of symbolic transformation: (1) multiplication of meanings; (2) association with other salient issues; and (3) coupling with national identity (boundary work). Conversely, this symbolic transformation influenced the terms of political debates and viable strategies, influencing policy developments. The study also demonstrates how certain longstanding elements of French political culture shaped, and were changed or reproduced through, these processes.     

Clinical trial of treatment with saikokaryukotsuboreito for eugonadal patients with late-inset hypogonadism-related symptoms

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of saikokaryukotsuboreito (SKRBT), which is widely used for a variety of clinical conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders, for patients with LOH-related symptoms. Twenty-two eugonadal patients over 40 years of age with LOH-related symptoms were included in this study. SKRBT was given orally to these patients three times daily to a total of 7.5 g/day for more than two months. Laboratory and endocrinological profiles were reviewed, and LOH symptoms were judged by means of several health assessment instruments such as the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale, Self-rated Depression Scale (SDS), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Total AMS scores and AMS subscores were significantly decreased after the treatment. The KHQ, general health perception and impact on life scores were also significantly decreased, although no significant improvement was observed in other KHQ factors or the SDS score or IPSS. The serum concentrations of testosterone fractions did not change with treatment. Laboratory values did not change, and no adverse effects were identified after treatment. We conclude that SKRBT may be considered for treatment of patients with LOH-related symptoms for eugonadal patients.     

How to Get a Longer Job? Roles of Human and Social Capital in the Japanese Labor Market

This article investigates the roles of human and social capital played in the Japanese labor market. Our research question is whether they interact to accelerate or decelerate each other to provide first jobs of a long duration. Based on the literature, we focus on the bonding functions of friends and relatives. Using the 2005 Social Stratification and Social Mobility Survey Data, we measure human capital by educational attainment (college education) and social capital by job search methods (using friends or relatives). The dependent variable is the hazard rate of turnover from the first job. We find that social capital especially benefits those with low human capital (high school graduates). When friends or relatives introduce workers to jobs, high school graduates tended to stay longer in their first jobs and had a lower turnover than college graduates did. This means that social capital decelerated effects of human capital. Therefore, in the Japanese labor market, social capital plays a complementary role in mitigating educational disadvantage.     

Model analysis of the effect of environmental fluctuation on the species replacement pattern of pelagic fishes under interspecific competition

Summary There are two factors affecting long-term fluctuation of planktotrophic pelagic fish: environmental fluctuation and interspecific competition. Long-term catch data of planktotrophic pelagic fishes in Japan suggest that the chub mackerel (species B) was replaced by the sardine (A), A was replaced by the anchovy, Pacific saury and horse mackerel (Group C), and species in group C were replaced by species B. If species A defeats B, B defeats C, and C defeats A in interspecific competitive ability, then the abundance of these three groups fluctuate forever and dominate in the same order. We call this cyclic advantage hypothesis for species replacement. In this model, environmental fluctuation affects the species replacement as a trigger. Environmental fluctuation does not determine the next dominant species but greatly affects when the next replacement occurs.     

Comparison of powers and exact bahadur slopes of some tests for dimensionality in manova models

In this paper we consider test of dimensionality in MANOVA model. For this testing problem, the likelihood ratio (=LR) test, Lawley-Hotelling (=LH) type test and Bartlett-Nanda-Pillai (=BNP) type test are often used. We obtain the asymptotic expansions of powers of these tests under the local alternatives. Also Bahadur exact slopes of these tests are obtained. Based on these results, we obtain a unified opinion concerning comparison of LR test, LH type test and BNP type test.     

The performance of the linear and quadratic discriminant functions for three types of non-normal distribution

The purpose of thls paper is to investlgate the performance of the LDF (linear discrlmlnant functlon) and QDF (quadratic dlscrminant functlon) for classlfylng observations from the three types of univariate and multivariate non-normal dlstrlbutlons on the basls of the mlsclasslficatlon rate. The theoretical and the empirical results are described for unlvariate distributions, and the empirical results are presented for multivariate distributions. It 1s also shown that the sign of the skewness of each population and the kurtosis have essential effects on the performance of the two discriminant functions. The variations of the populatlon speclflc mlsclasslflcatlon rates are greatly depend on the sample slze. For the large dlmenslonal populatlon dlstributlons, if the sample sizes are sufflclent, the QDF performs better than the LDF. We show the crlterla of a cholce between the two discriminant functions as an application.     

Measuring Time Series Predictability Using Support Vector Regression

Most studies involving statistical time series analysis rely on assumptions of linearity, which by its simplicity facilitates parameter interpretation and estimation. However, the linearity assumption may be too restrictive for many practical applications. The implementation of nonlinear models in time series analysis involves the estimation of a large set of parameters, frequently leading to overfitting problems. In this article, a predictability coefficient is estimated using a combination of nonlinear autoregressive models and the use of support vector regression in this model is explored. We illustrate the usefulness and interpretability of results by using electroencephalographic records of an epileptic patient.     

社会责任对公司治理的影响——美国、日本、德国的比较

公司治理主权的理念可以分为股东主权型和利益相关者主权型两种,前者注重股东利益,后者注重利益相关者或社会利益.除交易成本、股份结构的区别之外,影响公司治理的主要因素是社会对公司的期待和公司对社会承担的社会责任.通过对美国、日本和德国的公司治理模式和社会责任的比较分析,对产生不同公司治理模式的原因进行了探讨,并对中国的公司治理模式提出了合理的建议.