critics of the 11th five year plan of China

Although the 11th five year plan was made in 2005, I still have to bring forward some weak points in it.

In the first chapter, the general guiding principle is proposed as a human oriented scientific view of development. It's a good point. However, when we obviously fall into an increasingly deteriorating environment, human oriented point of view must also include an implication of sustainable development. Actually the most critical factor of sustainable development is a new energy plan.

In the past several centuries, we exploited the nature at will. Now we begin to see the consequences. Flood, mudflow, drought, desertification, and new stubborn diseases become increasingly common. So we have to begin to think about what we can do to stop it or at least mitigate it. Going green is a buzz word today. Apparently a sustainable energy plan will play a vital role in going green. Energy plan is a system project. In one hand, Efficiency of fossil fuel can be improved and depollution of fossil fuel before and after burning is also important. In addition, alternative energy such as solar panel, wind power, nuclear power should be seriously and urgently considered and researched.

The second point is that the proportion of basic science R&D investment is too low. We can not be proud of being a world factory. Actually, currently we are. If we don't increase the investment of basic research, we will not have enough potential to prepare for applied research and thus we will be tied in the lower end of value chain. It's absolutely not sustainable.

Finally, investment policy on public education is less satisfactory. Although the 4% goal was set in the 90s of the last century, it is not reached even now. Low financial income leads to deficient budget on education. This is always the excuse of Chinese government officials. I have to argue this excuse is nonsense. It is about determination and persistence. Even in a poor rural family, money can be saved for education. Moreover, if government has not enough money for education, why so many splendid government office building are constructed? why the salary of public servants was raised several times in recent few years? It's too much for me to call government to account for this issue. In a word, public education especially in rural areas is an unavoidable duty of government. There is no excuse. There is only consequences.

Is reconcilement between science and religion possible?

After a fierce debate about religion with greenapple, we ended with a consensus that science and religion will coexist in future for a long time. As greenapple said, neither of them can provide us a comprehensive understanding about everything around us so human need both of them. This is a typical debate about the validity of religion between atheism and Islam. Actually this kind of debates lasted for centuries and became much hot recently.

In one hand, some religions begin to employ so-called science miracles in holy scriptures to justify their validity. For example, there are many arguments about science miracles in Quran which claimed that Muhammad got revelations about the origin of the universe, the creation of the earth, development of embryo and so on. Also a variety of creationism such as intelligent design were developed to justify God in a more scientific way. On the other hand, it is noticeable that such justifications have around the same number of critics as supporters. Because they are still open to debate, we can't tell which side is more justifiable.

If we can go a little further to explore the essence of religion, problem could be simplified. German philosopher Feuerbach said that, if God can't be proved as a material existence, then it is a spiritual existence which must derive from human's mental activity. It can't be independent so it is a outward projection of human's inner characteristics. Psychologist Fred said that religion is the realization of human's intense and urgent wish. Human will confront a lot of sufferings such illness, frustration, and death in life, so he gets an intense desire to get free from these sufferings by simply relying on a kind and mighty deity. It is a great comfort to offset those sufferings in real world. So, if God is just a mental phenomenon of human, it is subjective and can't be justified and not to mention it can direct the progress of science.

However, despite its subjective trait, religion definitely can improve comfort, sense of safety, peace. So it embodies a kind of humanistic characteristic. The rational power of science and humanistic influence of religion will be complementary rather than competitive.

why there is no prevaling religion in China?

While I begin to think about my belief and religion, I try to find my belief from some kind of origins, one of which is Confucianism. It's well-known that Confucianism ever had the most important influence and now still has lasting influence on Chinese everyday life, but why didn't it develop into a popular religion like Christianity? Or why there is no prevailing religion like Christianity in China?

It's a very intriguing and complex question. After some research and pondering, I think it is the ethical and philosophical feature of Confucianism that makes a religion not necessary in China.

Confucianism mainly deals with politics and ethnics. The core principles are humanity, loyalty and filial piety. Humanity teaches us to behave with humaneness. One golden rule which expresses the principle of humanity is: Whatever you don't wish for yourself, don't do to others. It's about empathy. Loyalty focuses on the obligations of the ruled to the ruler, and also extends to one's duties to friends, family and spouses. Filial piety denotes that children should respect their parents or ancestors.

It is evident that Confucianism is a very complete moral code to regulate social relationships in China. Also Confucianism pays little attention on anything out of living beings; instead, it focuses on personal cultivation with a goal of becoming a gentleman. Put it simply, Confucianism is more of a philosophy of life than a religion of theism. This kind of feature makes a belief of supernatural power such as God not necessary. People can live well in the direction of Confucianism.

Actually there is a native religion in China. It is Taoism. However, Taoism is too mystical to be popularized.

After a roughly one century of fracture of the tradition of Confucianism, most Chinese actually begin to lose memory about Confucianism. However, it's no good and we should adopt a analytical method to revive Confucianism to fit in modern values, especially when western civilizations have begun to show serious consequences in many aspects of our life such as global climate change. Chinese traditional philosophy of "unity of Heaven and Man" could serve as a savior. The most prominent philosopher in 20th century Russsel ever commended Chinese traditional culture and he said:

His (Confucius)system, as developed by his followers, is one of pure ethics, without religious dogma; it has not given rise to a powerful priesthood, and it has not led to persecution. It certainly has succeeded in producing a whole nation possessed of exquisite manners and perfect courtesy.

random thoughts on religion

I have talked about my belief in the former blog post, but I think I could also record some thoughts about religion.

Generally there are two types of belief system, theistic belief and atheistic belief. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are the most influential religion belief system in the world. Actually these religions share the same origin. They believe in one God, share the same prophet Abraham(Ibrahim) and Judgment Day caused by original sin of human beings. Arabians and Jews all claimed that Abraham are their ancestor. However, there are some distinctions between them. In regard to prophets, Christianity regard Jesus as the Savior sent by God, but Jews don't think so and they are still waiting for the advent of the real Savior, Muslin just think Jesus as one of the prophets and also regard Muhammad as the last prophet sent by God(Allah). As for holy books, Jews accept that Old Testament is their only revelation from God, but Christians also read New Testament. Islam accept some parts of the Bible but think it is not original or authentic, also Islam regard Koran as the most complete and authentic holy scripture.

On the other hand, Buddhism is the most influential atheistic belief. Buddhism don't believe there is a God because it don't think anyone else can help except ourselves. There is nothing permanent in this ever-changing world, so pursuing a lasting spiritual existence is impossible. All suffering comes from our craving and clinging to wrong things, and there are a lot of causes and effects(Karma) in our life. Human life is continuing living and death before attaining liberation from Karma. However, we can avoid suffering by arduous self-promotion such as meditation，morality and wisdom and finally reach Enlightenment(a mental state beyond suffering).

Also there are some other types of atheistic belief such as humanism, rationalism and postmodernism. I can't elaborate them in this post. Maybe I can do it sometime later.

Personally speaking, I can't tell which is better or worse. Each one has some merits and flaws. But I would prefer a atheistic type of belief because it is more reasonable for me.

about belief of Chinese

Before I met greenapple(nickname) several days ago, I never thought about belief. I never think it is problem. My talking with greenapple about religion made me begin to think about this old question.

So, the first question I would ask is if I have a belief? I think I do have a belief. First of all, I am still practicing some traditional Chinese religion. I stand in awe of Heaven and Earth. I think human's power of rationality is limited but the universe we live in is infinite. Although science has been advanced a lot in the late several centuries, science is an endless progress. So I think keeping a awe of the nature is a necessity. Also I have a great respect of my ancestors. I have to be grateful to the heritage(materialistic and spiritual) from my ancestors. It is their great efforts that laid a rich foundation for our modern life. Although I got these ideas from my parents and also practiced them, but I think they are more of a custom than a belief for me because at least I can express my respect on my ancestors.

Moreover, I think my behavior is definitely influenced by Confucianism that prevailed in China for about 2000 years. In the late 20th century, with the demise of Qing dynasty, Confucianism was disdained and discarded by modern Chinese intellectuals. However, I think the basic Confucianism is still in Chinese people's mind as a cultural heritage. We still act according to those ethnics taught by Confucianism, such as respect, loyalty and kindness. So that's about my understanding about my belief.

Actually I heard a lot of points that Chinese is a nonbeliever people. It is not really true. For religion, there are a lot of followers of Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. Moreover, most Chinese have the similar belief as me. Another feature of Chinese belief is pantheism. We worship Emperor Yuhuang, Heaven, Earth, Buddha, Lady Guanyin and also Confucius and Laotze. They just choose some of them to worship. If someone say that Chinese have some kind of pragmatism, it is true. They worship those deity which can bring them goods.

a heartwarming Oscar-winning cartoon "Farther and Daughter"

As the title said, it's an affecting cartoon. The little girl is always waiting for his farther in her lifetime. The season changes and the aging of the girl are greatly shortened for an effect of exaggeration. Thankfully, the old girl got together with his farther. What's the most moving part is the scene that the girl found a empty boat when the lake dries up.

I recommend anyone to see it and you'll feel one of the most precious emotions of humankind.

see it online: Farther and Daughter

personal review of the film "Fight Club"

Fight Club seems like a typical gang film at first sight, but it is more thought-provoking than it seems.

Although Tyler and Edward co-create the fight club, Tyler is actually the godfather of the club. He attended college, extremely debase consumerism which ever dominated Edward's life.

The advocated values of the club is that one should abandon materialistic world and pursue a kind of spiritual redemption by destruction. Destruction is the way they live. Destruction is what makes them exist. As Tyler said, "Let gone."

One scenario is very striking for me. That guy claimed to study biology conceded that he really want to be a veterinarian when his head is pointed by a short gun. Maybe death can save us to some extent because death can help us know what we really want to be. But before that, we should seriously think it over and over. As soon as the goal is clear, just do it before we die.

Now, I can't say any more about this movie. Maybe the next time I see it again, I can gain more understanding.

about so-called Runner Fan event

One post(Mr. Fan Meizhong's blog) on the tianya bbs stirred fierce discussions. Most said that Mr. Fan lost conscience and failed to fulfill obligations as a teacher. Furthermore, some cited the conduct rules for American teachers when natural disasters occurred. Mr. Fan also his some supporters who said that his was not to blame because he was just committing self-protection. Basically I don't think Mr. Fan should be to blame because he just wanted to live.

For one thing, to live is the most fundamental right for any species. To some extent human being is also a kind of species what we call Homo sapiens. His self defense behavior came from the very instinct of life.

From the ethical point of view, Mr. Fan obviously don't carry out the obligations as a teacher, especially in China, such a country where traditional ethical standards prevail in most people's life. This is why so many critics was flooding him.

In addition, Mr. Fan is so brave that he dare to expose his "coward" mind to the public. Maybe many people have the same feeling on the tip of their tongues but they can't speak it out. Mr. Fan just revealed this kind of feeling.

Finally I have to say that everyone is very different from each other. We should not expect others think the same as ourselves. Speech should be respected. We can disagree with others, but we don't have to commit verbal assault which fails to settle anything.