Wholegrain Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Teleological
Even assuming China does follow other East Asian countries into
the upper ranks of wealthy, well-governed countries, the process of
development will take decades if not longer to reach a relatively
stable equilibrium, after which change will continue, albeit in less
dramatic fashion, just as it does in Euro-America. Moreover, capitalism,
rule of law, democracy, and human rights are sufficiently
contested in theory and varied in practice that the final outcome in
China cannot be specified at this point—much to the chagrin of
those who would press their own version of liberal democracy on
China. As China negotiates modernity, and indeed postmodernity, it
may very well give rise to one or more novel varieties of capitalism,
rule of law, democracy, and human rights. On the other hand, there
is enough minimal determinate content to each of these four aspects
of modernity to provide a teleological orientation to the process that
is likely to survive into the next decades, barring extraordinary catastrophes
that change radically the nature of contemporary society.
It seems that the author made an improper use of the term teleological.
I think he meant: On the other hand, there is enough evidences to determine what orientation development reform practices will take the next decades, unless there is extraordinary catastrophes that will changes the nature of society.
The meaning of teleological has been stretched. Are we even allowed to do that?
the upper ranks of wealthy, well-governed countries, the process of
development will take decades if not longer to reach a relatively
stable equilibrium, after which change will continue, albeit in less
dramatic fashion, just as it does in Euro-America. Moreover, capitalism,
rule of law, democracy, and human rights are sufficiently
contested in theory and varied in practice that the final outcome in
China cannot be specified at this point—much to the chagrin of
those who would press their own version of liberal democracy on
China. As China negotiates modernity, and indeed postmodernity, it
may very well give rise to one or more novel varieties of capitalism,
rule of law, democracy, and human rights. On the other hand, there
is enough minimal determinate content to each of these four aspects
of modernity to provide a teleological orientation to the process that
is likely to survive into the next decades, barring extraordinary catastrophes
that change radically the nature of contemporary society.
It seems that the author made an improper use of the term teleological.
I think he meant: On the other hand, there is enough evidences to determine what orientation development reform practices will take the next decades, unless there is extraordinary catastrophes that will changes the nature of society.
The meaning of teleological has been stretched. Are we even allowed to do that?
Top answer
I'm having trouble parsing your version. Is "orientation" the direct object of "to take"? " Should you perhaps have written, "will take during the next decades"?
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I'm having trouble parsing your version. Is "orientation" the direct object of "to take"? That is, "to take what orientation??" Should you perhaps have written, "will take during the next decades"? (Don't forget, "unless there is are extraordinary catastrophies")
So they're saying the orientation of the process of development could be considered
So they're saying the orientation of the process of development could be considered
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I didn't think that saying "during" was necessary, but I guess it is clearer that way.
Teleology
1. The study of design or purpose in natural phenomena.
2. The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena.
3. Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in nature or history.
I fa
Teleology
1. The study of design or purpose in natural phenomena.
2. The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena.
3. Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in nature or history.
I fa
00
Seems like he's just saying that based on what he knows about history, and what he knows about human nature, and the way things stand in China and the world today; unless something extremely unlkely happens, China may be headed toward some (atypical) form of democracy and capitalism. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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I think your interpretation was correct. However, teleology implies religious or supernatural beliefs. I tried to make sense out of it, but I just can't. He seemed to be quite rational until this.
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