Critical rationalism applied

a footnote to the siblinghood of humanity

Margaret NG

pp. 243-249

in: Nimrod Bar Am, Stefano Gattei (eds), Encouraging openness, Berlin, Springer, 2017

Abstract

Joseph Agassi taught in the Department of Philosophy of the University of Hong Kong from 1960 to 1963. He later contributed to a volume of papers edited by Ian C. Jarvie entitled Hong Kong: A Society in Transition. His reputation stayed on after his departure. In 1971, I sought out Agassi in Boston University to study with him. I returned to Hong Kong in 1975, after completing a somewhat unorthodox doctorate. I never held a teaching post in a university, and have no significant academic publication in philosophy. My chief occupation was, at different times, in journalism, law and politics. Yet Agassi's teaching has profound influence on my work as a practicing barrister, and as a member of the Legislative Council – Hong Kong's mini parliament known as "LegCo" – in the transitional years from British colony to special administrative region of China, and particularly in relation to defending the rule of law and fighting for democracy under the promise of a sovereign state which believed in neither.

Cited authors

Agassi Joseph