"Harmonizing Similarities" is a study of the legal distinctions (al-furūq al-fiqhiyya) literature and its role in the development of the Islamic legal heritage. This book reconsiders how the public performance of Islamic law helped shape legal literature. It identifies the origins of this tradition in contemporaneous lexicographic and medical literature, both of which demonstrated the productive potential of drawing distinctions. Elias G. Saba demonstrates the implications of the legal furūq and how changes to this genre reflect shifts in the social consumption of Islamic legal knowledge. The interest in legal distinctions grew out of the performance of knowledge in formalized legal disputations. From here, legal distinctions incorporated elements of play through its interactions with the genre of legal riddles. As play, books of legal distinctions were supplements to performance in literary salons, study circles, and court performances; these books also served as mimetic objects, allowing the reader to participate in a session virtually. Saba underscores how social and intellectual practices helped shape the literary development of Islamic law and that literary elaboration became a main driver of dynamism in Islamic law.

This book gathers and builds on research into distinct national and regional traditions in regulating innovation. It is an early attempt at a comprehensive legal history of the uneven trans-Atlantic harmonization of IP law. Authors explore harmonization as a legal mandate and a progressive ideal, and imagine areas in which coherent regulatory webs could build a more vibrant trans-Atlantic knowledge economy.

The Vulnerability of Integrity in Early Confucian Thought is about the necessity and value of vulnerability in human experience. In this book, Michael Ing brings early Chinese texts into dialogue with questions about the ways in which meaningful things are vulnerable to powers beyond our control, and more specifically how relationships with meaningful others might compel tragic actions. Vulnerability is often understood as an undesirable state; invulnerability is usually preferred. While recognizing the need to reduce vulnerability in some situations, The Vulnerability of Integrity demonstrates that vulnerability is pervasive in human experience, and enables values such as morality, trust, and maturity. Vulnerability is also the source of the need for care for oneself and for others. The possibility of tragic loss fosters compassion for others as we strive to care for each other. This book demonstrates the plurality of Confucian thought on this topic. The first two chapters describe traditional and contemporary arguments for the invulnerability of integrity in early Confucian thought. The remainder of the book focuses on neglected voices in the tradition, which argue that our concern for others can and should lead to us compromise our own integrity. In such cases, we are compelled to do something transgressive for the sake of others, and our integrity is jeopardized in the transgressive act.

Papers presented at a conference held June 22-24, 2007 in Princeton, N.J.

The Arab upheaval and the world's biggest financial crisis after the Great Depression were almost simultaneous in their occurrence. The Mediterranean economies now face a dual challenge of a political and financial restructuring in the light of a shaky economic pedestal on which they stand. In light of this socio-political and economic shift in both inland and in world markets, this book offers a thorough analysis on problems, prospects and the way ahead for the financial integration of the South-Mediterranean region. Several perspectives on financial integration and policy recommendations are put forward from a leading group of researchers specializing on the Mediterranean region.

"This second edition of the Handbook of Multicultural Counseling marks an important turning point. It brings together the voices of some pioneers who have paved the way, and introduces us to new voices, who, while influenced by the pioneers, have taken different paths. Because the multicultural community is well represented in content and scholarship in this second addition, the reader can be assured that the view points represented in this book speak to the core issues of the field. I am excited about this Handbook because the authors answer the question that is often heard at many a conference: Where is the research to support multicultural counseling? I am equally excited about this Handbook because it breaks new ground by using as its anchor, oral histories, which demonstrates that for many of us multicultural counseling is not simply a research agenda, but a life long journey, that cannot always be measured. The underlying theme of social justice only reinforces our commitment to this journey. Drs. Ponterotto, Casas, Suzuki, and Alexander have once again helped shape the multicultural conversation. To those who have often said, "Where is the research," look not further." --From the forword by Donald B. Pope-Davis, Ph.D., Professor, University of Notre Dame The Second Edition of the Handbook of Multicultural Counseling presents a completely reconceived work building on the strengths of the first, reflecting the developments that continue to expand the profession of multicultural counseling. Eighty-five scholars in the field offer their perspectives, providing breadth and depth, as well as new visions for the discipline. This edition has been expanded to include more coverage of: Historical perspectives on the field Professional and ethical issues Counseling role in fighting oppression Psychological measurement theories Research design Gender issues and higher education issues The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling, Second Edition, is a critical resource for counselors, counseling students, and other mental health professionals who are seeking to improve their competence in treating a culturally diverse clientele.