How do Chinese and Western ethical traditions interact today? In this collection of articles both Chinese and Western scholars carefully examine the issue, one of fundamental importance for the mutual understanding between China and the West. The volume is the result of the second symposium which focused on a dialogue between China and the West on questions of ethics, in particular concerning their commensurability and a possible common ground. The first part of the book discusses general problems of ethics in a cross-cultural context, followed by articles on ethical bases of Chinese and Western societies respectively. Further topics range from moral traditions in the context of social transformation in China today to developments in Western societies, politics, education and religion. The last part deals with controversial issues such as human rights vs. human duties and medical ethics.

Karl-Heinz Pohl, Ph.D. (1982) in East Asian Studies, University of Toronto, is Professor of Chinese Studies, Trier University (Germany). He has published on Chinese aesthetics, literature and history of ideas.

Anselm Winfried Müller, Ph.D. (1966) in Philosophy, University of Fribourg, Habilitation 1978 (Trier), is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the "Research Centre for Current Ethical Issues" at Trier University. His publications include books in the areas of action theory, virtue ethics, political philosophy and medical ethics.