SKU: 11313344813

Mastery, Dependence, and the Ethics of Authority

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Mastery, Dependence, and the Ethics of AuthorityOver the last few decades, skepticism about political and moral experts has grown into a serious social problem, undermining the functioning of liberal democratic regimes. Indeed, meritocracy that is, government by hard working, public spirited people with high levels of relevant expertise has never looked so promising as an alternative to the dangers of know nothing populism. One cultural tradition has devoted sustained attention to the idea of

Over the last few decades, skepticism about political and moral experts has grown into a serious social problem, undermining the functioning of liberal democratic regimes. Indeed, meritocracy-that is, government by hard working, public-spirited people with high levels of relevant expertise-has never looked so promising as an alternative to the dangers of know-nothing populism. One cultural tradition has devoted sustained attention to the idea of meritocracy, as well as to the cultivation of true expertise or mastery: Confucianism.

Mastery, Dependence, and the Ethics of Authority presents a compelling analysis of expertise and authority, and examines classical Confucian conceptions of mastery, dependence, and human relationships in order to suggest new approaches to these issues in ethics and political theory. Contemporary Westerners are heirs to multiple traditions that are suspicious of authority, especially coercive political authority. We are also increasingly wary of dependence, which now often seems to signify weakness, neediness, and pathology. Analysts commonly presume that both authority and dependence threaten human autonomy, and are thus intrinsically problematic. But these judgments are mistaken. Our capacity for autonomy needs to be cultivated over time through deliberate practices of training, in which we depend on the guidance of virtuous and skilled teachers. Confucian thought provides a subtle and powerful analysis of one version of this training process, and of the social supports such an education in autonomy requires-as well as the social value of having virtuous and skilled leaders. Early Confucians also argue that human life is marked by numerous interacting forms of dependence, which are not only ineradicable, but in many ways good. On a Confucian view, it is natural, healthy, and good for people to be deeply dependent on others in a variety of ways across the full human lifespan. They teach us that individual autonomy only develops within a social matrix, structured by relationships of mutual dependence that can either help or hinder it, including a variety of authority relations.

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SKU: 11313344813

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4.2 ★★★★★
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Verified Purchase
R Murphy
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Most satisfying purchase in years!
Color: Silver
I bought this watch as part of the Black Thursday Deals. I didn't expect much frankly, but I've been mightily impressed by its quality and utility. As a timepiece and as an accessory, this is a great buy. The face is easy to read, the second-hand sweeps exactly on the second marks (a rarity these days in even fairly expensive watches) and it keeps good time (one second per day fast so far). The day/date are a good size and pretty easy to set using the industry standard crown-pull method. The brushed aluminum case appears durable and yet it's comfortable. The strap is thin but of good quality; it has 13 holes and will fit a wide variety of wrist sizes. Overall, I'm totally satisfied and have no hesitation in highly recommending this outstanding watch.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
D
Verified Purchase
D. Evans
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Solid, if basic, cheap watch.
Color: Black
This is a solid, if basic, quartz watch. It keeps good time, and the NATO strap is comfortable. Though some have had complaints about it's waterproof rating, I've had no issues with that. But... The lume (glow-in-the-dark) is pretty weak and doesn't last long. I expected that, but it actually bothers me more than I thought it would. The date window is small and hard to read; which is fine because a month after I got it, it lost the ability to change the date (April has 30 days, but I can't skip over the 31st to the 1st) If I cared about the date function, that would be a deal breaker.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025
G
Verified Purchase
Good old fashioned truth
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
What time is it? Time to buy this watch!
Color: Blue
This is a great watch at an unbelievable price. You get quality materials, durable construction, reliability and style, all for a great price. I wear this watch more than my others, and I have quite a few, but this one has that "it" factor. I get a lot of compliments on it and love the aesthetic. It keeps time well and has a pretty long battery life. The fit is also great too since it very adjustable.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2026
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Verified Purchase
HM
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Good value
Color: Black
Surprisingly good watch at this price. Compatible with common 20mm NATO straps. Have worn mine extensively despite owning more expensive field watches. Got the black model and switched to a Bond NATO strap. Good legibility, light but not cheap feeling. Lots of great affordable field watches out there from Timex, Militado, Addiesdive, etc, but at the sub $20 price I think this is one of the best values.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Whistlersmom
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Semi-tough and inexpensive
Color: Blue
I purchased this watch because I needed one that I could put into harms way without hesitation; I also needed it to survive. Inexpensive and semi-tough. A tall order. So far so good! Bonus points for appearance. Color coordination and it looks pretty good, lightweight and adjustable for the cost of three gallons of gasoline!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026

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