Chinese Philosophy: The Key to Understanding China’s Global Actions

To truly understand China’s behavior on the world stage—its diplomacy, governance, long-term strategy, and views on order and power—one must look beyond policy and into philosophy. This class explores how foundational ideas from Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and other classical schools continue to shape China’s political mindset and cultural identity. We’ll examine concepts such as harmony, hierarchy, moral leadership, and the flexible use of power, and how these inform not only domestic governance but also China’s approach to international relations.

Troy Catterson, Ph.D., is the director of the Ph.D. program in Humanities and Technology at Salve Regina University. He is also an associate professor of philosophy. He has published numerous articles in top academic journals on logic, metaphysics, ethics and the concept of God. Troy received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Boston University and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.