论作为儒家：为什么儒家一定老迈、严肃和保守呢？

对于现代进步思想家来说，他们很难同情儒家的价值观，儒家的形象似乎与捍卫保守派传统的老迈、严肃、保守的卫道士形象十分吻合。本文认为，对于儒家的这种形象理解或许是错误的。作者根据自己的亲身经历指出儒家其实可以而且应该具有幽默感，他们也积极参与社会和政治批评。本文同时质疑儒家一定是谦谦长者的观点，并对儒家是否只属于中国的问题做了一些思考。

On Being A Confucian: Why should A Confucian be Old, Boring and Deadly Serious?

It is difficult, arguably, for modern progressive thinkers to sympathize with Confucian values that seem best suited to old, boring and deadly serious defenders of conservative traditions. But this stereotypical image may be mistaken. Drawing on his own experience, the author argues that Confucians can and should have a sense of humour and engage in social and political criticism. He also questions the idea that Confucians need to be elderly gentlemen. The article ends with some reflections on Chineseness and Confucianism.