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Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction by Daniel K. Gardner

To understand China, it is essential to understand Confucianism. First formulated in the sixth century BCE, the teachings of Confucius would come to dominate Chinese society, politics, economics, and ethics. In this Very Short Introduction, Daniel K. Gardner explores the major philosophical ideas of the Confucian tradition, showing their profound impact on state ideology and imperial government, the civil service examination system, domestic life, and social relations over the course of twenty-six centuries. Gardner focuses on two of the Sage's most crucial philosophical problems-what makes for a good person, and what constitutes good government-and demonstrates the enduring significance of these questions today.This volume shows the influence of the Sage's teachings over the course of Chinese history--on state ideology, the civil service examination system, imperial government, the family, and social relations--and the fate of Confucianism in China in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as China developed alongside a modernizing West and Japan. Some Chinese intellectuals attempted to reform the Confucian tradition to address new needs; others argued for jettisoning it altogether in favor of Western ideas and technology; still others condemned it angrily, arguing that Confucius and his legacies were responsible for China's feudal, ''backward'' conditions in the twentieth century and launching campaigns to eradicate its influences. Yet Chinese continue to turn to the teachings of Confucianism for guidance in their daily lives.In addition to a survey of the philosophy and history of Confucianism, Gardner offers an examination of the resurgence of Confucianism in China today, and explores what such a revival means for the Chinese government and the Chinese people. About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable....

The Cambridge Guide to English Usage by Pam Peters

The Cambridge Guide to English Usage is an A-Z reference book, giving an up-to-date account of the debatable issues of English usage and written style. Its advice draws on a wealth of recent research and data from very large corpora of American and British English - illuminating their many divergences and also points of convergence on which international English can be based. The book comprises more than 4000 points of word meaning, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and larger issues of inclusive language, and effective writing and argument. It also provides guidance on grammatical terminology, and covers topics in electronic communication and the internet. The discussion notes the major dictionaries, grammars and usage books in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, allowing readers to calibrate their own practices as required. CGEU is descriptive rather than prescriptive, but offers a principled basis for implementing progressive or more conservative decisions on usage....

The Computer: A Very Short Introduction by Darrel Ince

What is the basic nature of the modern computer? How does it work? How has it been possible to squeeze so much power into increasingly smaller machines? What will the next generations of computers look like? In this Very Short Introduction, Darrel Ince looks at the basic concepts behind all computers, the changes in hardware and software that allowed computers to become so small and commonplace, the challenges produced by the computer revolution--especially whole new modes of cyber crime and security issues, the Internet and the advent of "cloud computing," and the promise of whole new horizons opening up with quantum computing and computing using DNA....

The Effective Use of Market Research: How to Drive and Focus Better Business Decisions by Robin Birn

More and more companies today are using market research techniques, not just to find new markets, products and customers, but also to improve management and marketing decision making and to monitor customer service. The Effective Use of Market Research looks at the circumstances in which market research is necessary, and explains what management can expect to gain from research and then analyses the type of business decisions that may be taken as a result. An organization that knows its customers and monitors its activity well, and also has a good understanding of the key research techniques it needs, is likely to develop more competitive sales, marketing and communications strategies.This latest edition of Effective Use of Market Research explains how to develop representative samples, data protection legislation and the professional ethics incorporated in the MRS Code of Conduct....

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Very Short Introduction by Jeremy Moon

Corporate social responsibility has been defined as "the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society." Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) just window dressing or is it a contradiction in terms? In this Very Short Introduction, Jeremy Moon shows that CSR holds much more value than it first appears, and examines how it has come of age in recent years. Illustrating the sorts of CSR investments companies make, the ways in which they practice CSR, and the challenges this brings, Moon considers how the principles migrated from their US roots to become a global business phenomenon. Exploring the place of CSR in different economic, social, political, and managerial contexts, this short guide considers the many positives, but also challenges, that CSR can present for companies, societies, and governments worldwide. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable....

Systems Analysis and Design by Kenneth Kendall

Directed primarily toward students taking an course in undergraduate systems analysis and design, this text also provides practical content to current and aspiring industry professionals .Kendall and Kendall’s Systems Analysis and Design, 9e, is a human-centered book that concisely presents the latest systems development methods, tools, and techniques in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner....

Cosmology: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Coles

Written in simple and accessible language, this non-technical introduction to cosmology, or the creation and development of the universe, explains the discipline, covers its history, details the latest developments, and explains what is known, what is believed, and what is purely speculative.In addition, the author discusses the development of the Big Bang theory, and more speculative modern issues like quantum cosmology, superstrings, and dark matter. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam....

Statistical Computing: Existing Methods and Recent Development by D. Kundu

Statistical Computing: Existing Methods and Recent Developments attempts to provide a state of the art account of existing methods and recent developments in the so called new field of Statistical Computing. Fourteen different chapters deal with a wide range of topics. This includes introductory topics such as the basic numerical analysis methods, random number generation, graphical techniques used in statistical data analysis and other areas. It also covers the more specialized techniques such as the EM algorithm, genetic algorithms, nonparametric smoothing techniques, resampling methods, and artificial neural network models, to name a few. In addition, the volume also deals with the computational issues involved in the analysis of mixture models, adaptive designs, weighted distributions, and statistical signal processing, topics which are unlikely to be covered in a standard text on Statistical Computing....

Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Stephen Eric Bronner

Critical theory emerged in the 1920s from the work of the Frankfurt School, the circle of German-Jewish academics who sought to diagnose -- and, if at all possible, cure -- the ills of society, particularly fascism and capitalism. In this book, Stephen Eric Bronner provides sketches of leading representatives of the critical tradition (such as George Lukács and Ernst Bloch, Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse and Jurgen Habermas) as well as many of its seminal texts and empirical investigations.This Very Short Introduction sheds light on the cluster of concepts and themes that set critical theory apart from its more traditional philosophical competitors. Bronner explains and discusses concepts such as method and agency, alienation and reification, the culture industry and repressive tolerance, non-identity and utopia. He argues for the introduction of new categories and perspectives for illuminating the obstacles to progressive change and focusing upon hidden transformative possibilities. In this newly updated second edition, Bronner targets new academic interests, broadens his argument, and adapts it to a global society amid the resurgence of right-wing politics and neo-fascist movements....

Statistical Process Control and Quality Improvement by Smith, Gerald M.

the basic applications and concepts of Statistical Process Control, providing a solid foundation in charts,scales, and analyzing process capability. Includes lab exercises for each chapter and informational boxes that emphasize important concepts. Previous edition: c1991. DLC: Process control--statistical methods....