Focusing on two late-Ming or early-Qing plays central to the Chinese canon (Peony Pavilion and Peach Blossom Fan), this study explores crucial questions concerning personal identity.

Stephen Owen is James Bryant Conant Professor of Chinese at Harvard University. --Book Jacket.

This book presents social, cognitive and neuroscientific approaches to the study of self-control, connecting recent work in cognitive and social psychology with recent advances in cognitive and social neuroscience. In bringing together multiple perspectives on self-control dilemmas from internationally renowned researchers in various allied disciplines, this is the first single-reference volume to illustrate the richness, depth, and breadth of the research in the new field of self control.

Embark on a profound voyage of self-discovery and understanding with "Neurological Nexus: Navigating the Intricacies of the Human Mind" This captivating book delves into the intricate complexities of the human mind, offering readers an immersive exploration of psychology, neuroscience, and the vast landscapes of consciousness. With meticulous detail and engaging prose, the author guide you through the multifaceted dimensions of the mind, from the conscious to the subconscious. Uncover the secrets of decision-making, the power of beliefs, and the profound impact of emotions on behavior. As you journey through the chapters, you'll unlock the mysteries of dreams, navigate the realms of perception and identity, and delve into the fascinating world of social psychology. But this book is more than just a cerebral adventure—it's a toolkit for personal growth. Practical exercises and valuable resources empower you to apply the insights gained from these pages to your own life, fostering self-awareness and mental well-being. "Neurological Nexus" is an illuminating guide for anyone intrigued by the enigma of the human mind. Whether you're a psychology enthusiast, a student seeking knowledge, or simply curious about the workings of your own consciousness, this book promises an unforgettable voyage into the limitless potential of the human mind.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary sociology, covering schools of thought or intellectual movements within the discipline, as well as the work of individual scholars. The author provides not only a rigorous exposition of each theory, but also an examination of the scholarly reception of the approach in question, considering both critical responses and defences in order to reach a balanced evaluation. Chapters cover the following theorists and perspectives: ¢ Alexander ¢ Bourdieu ¢ Ethnomethodology ¢ Exchange Theory ¢ Foucault ¢ Giddens ¢ Goffman ¢ Habermas ¢ Luhmann ¢ Merton ¢ Network and Social Capital Theory ¢ Parsons ¢ Rational Choice Theory ¢ Schutz and Phenomenalism ¢ Structuralism ¢ Symbolic Interactionism An accessible and informative treatment of the central approaches in sociology over the course of the last century, this volume marks a significant contribution to sociological theory and constitutes an essential addition to library collections in the areas of the history of sociology and contemporary social theory.

Written over a thirty-five year period, these essays reflect the changes in J. Hillis Miller's thinking on Victorian topics, from an early concern with questions of consciousness, form, and intellectual history, to a more recent focus on parable and the development of a deconstructive ethics of reading. Miller defines the term "Victorian subjects" in more than one sense. The phrase identifies an historical time but also names a concern throughout with subjectivity, consciousness, and selfhood in Victorian literature. The essays show various Victorian subjectivities seeking to ground themselves in their own underlying substance or in some self beneath or beyond the self. But "Victorian subjects" also discusses those who were subject to Queen Victoria, to the reigning ideologies of the time, to historical, social, and material conditions, including the conditions under which literature was written, published, distributed, and consumed. These essays, taken together, sketch the outlines of ideological assumptions within the period about the self, interpersonal relations, nature, literary form, the social function of literature, and other Victorian subjects.