China and the Primal Episteme

The ancient possibility of knowledge that China possesses is well placed to resonate effectively with the Primal episteme. This is because it incorporates a knowledge of mankind alongside that of other things.

The ancient possibility of knowledge that China possesses is best appreciated in contrast to the dominant possibility of knowledge in the Modern Western world. One of the key defining features of the Modern Western world is the Modern episteme as defined by Michel Foucault. Within the Modern episteme the role of “epistemological man” is central and definitive (Foucault 1970; Birkin & Polesie 2011). Briefly the significance of “epistemological man” means that knowledge in the Modern Human sciences is a knowledge that has been created

of man, by man and for man.

This means that knowledge in the Modern Human Sciences is made possible by reflexive self-referencing; a kind of species-solipsism. This helps to explain how Modern progress has benefit man at the expense of the natural world. It has done so because knowledge in the Modern human sciences did not recognise a natural world as may be proven by a quick examination of any standard Modern text explaining how mankind is to be organised to increase its own wealth; i.e. economics, accounting and management where  nature per se does not exist. This is a key driver of unsustainable development.

So how does ancient China differ? It differs in many ways that for the moment we can represent simply by Tian Xia which may be translated as “All under Heaven”. The concept of Tian Xia is closely associated with civilization and order in classical Chinese philosophy, and it has formed the basis for the world view of the Chinese people and nations influenced by them since at least the first millennium BC. A first point to notice is the age of this concept - the first millennium BC - which is indicative of its intrinsic sustainability. (In contrast the Modern episteme in the West lasted a mere 200 years old before it undermined its own existence with unsustainable forms of development.)

We should be aware that Tian Xia in its application and development in China was not of course all good. It did for example underpin the idea that the Chinese emperor acted with a Mandate from Heaven and as such was effectively the centre of the world and all powerful.

However, the significance of Tian Xia for present purposes is that it was not based on a possibility of knowledge that referred its own origins back to itself as in the Modern episteme’s knowledge of man, by man and for man. Tian Xia embraced – as it says – “All under Heaven”.

Tian Xia or "All under Heaven"

Sumatran Tigers - hope for mankind!

The fate of the Sumatran Tiger is by no means secure – but we have reasons to be hopeful that this exquisite animal will survive.

Around170 Sumatran Tigers live in Kerinci Seblat National Park on the island of Sumatra in Indonesian. This is their largest known population. The smallest of all tigers, the Sumatran also has narrower stripes and a more bearded and maned appearance.

Sumatran Tiger Cubs by courtesy of WWF.

Green China?

Is corporate China ready for the green economy? A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) asked that question in October 2012 (ACCA and WWF 2012). In PR’s opinion, no! But corporate China is beginning to say the rights things, think about what is needed for a truly better world and seek sustainability credentials.

China has a massive sustainability hill to climb: very high levels of pollution; an avid shopping culture among those Chinese who can afford it; widespread poverty; a huge population; overcrowded cities; and an economy that can seem more dedicatedly capitalist, growth-minded and money conscious than the worst excesses on Wall Street. So PR does not think that China is ready for the Green Economy.

BUT, China and Chinese people are nothing if not adaptable and pragmatic. Chinese history is a record of how China adapts, accommodates change and survives - for over a very sustainable 3,000 years. Chinese people possess strong pragmatic elements, deep-seated ethical awareness and an ancient culture grounded on principles of harmony between heaven, earth and mankind. So PR thinks it quite possible that China could become Green and sustainable before the West.

China and the Primal Episteme

Chinese accounting students who wanted to learn how accountants in the West  deal with accounting for social, environmental and sustainable development aspects of company performance had a shock when they attended Frank Birkin's lecture at Jinan University, Guangzhou, on Saturday 27th. October 2012. Instead of showing them how to do it, Frank showed them how scientific knowledge of the world now indicates that ancient Chinese ways of thinking provide a better foundation for social, environmental and sustainable development accounting than does neo-classical economics and free market idealism.

It is strange that educated Chinese people are not aware just how important their cultural and philosophical inheritance is to the world as a whole. Prof Rob Gray had set the scene by challenging Western notions of what accounting ought to be and this opened minds to the possibility that accounting could be very different - not just a servant to capitalism and financial markets. With the possibility of different forms of accounting established in their minds, these young Chinese accounting students were only too pleased to learn from Frank that they - the Chinese people - could develop their own, more harmonious and sustainable forms of accounting for China ... and for the world.

A slide from Frank's presentation in Jinan University, Guangzhou.

Please email Frank if you would like to learn more about how ancient Chinese culture and Philosophy can help to make the world a better place. You may also enquire about his itineraries in the near future to see if he could make a presentation at your university or college.