HISTORY OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy 301
Spring 2021 Syllabus
Section 001
CRN: 10525
MWF 12:00 — 12:50 AM
World Wide Web
Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231
freeman@hawaii.edu
Office Hours:
CATALOGUE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Phil 301 History of Chinese Philosophy *WI*
Survey of the development of the philosophies of China: the classical schools including Confucianism and Daoism, as well as the development of Buddhist philosophy in China, and the subsequent development of Neo-Confucianism. The continuing development and relevance of Chinese philosophy. Recommended: previous work in philosophy. (Attributes: DH, HPP)
REQUIRED TEXTS
Philosophers of the Warring States: A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy, Kurtis Hagen and Steve Coutinho, Broadview Press, 2018.
The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us about the Good Life, Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh, Simon & Schuster, 2017.
COURSE CONTENT
This course will provide an overview of the history of Chinese philosophy. We will focus primarily on the “classical period” of Chinese philosophy in which six schools of thought developed during the Warring States Period in Chinese history. We will focus on the development of the two most important schools in this period, Confucianism and Daoism, but will also consider Mohism, Legalism, and the Yinyang philosophy. After this examination of the philosophers of the Warring States, we will consider the later development of Buddhism in China, and then the development of Neo-Confucianism. As in Western philosophy, Chinese philosophers were concerned with questions concerning ontology, epistemology, moral theory, and political philosophy, and we will examine and discuss what Chinese philosophers had to say about these questions.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Chinese philosophy.
COURSE FORMAT
Due to the viral pandemic, this course will take place online, unless conditions improve to allow in person classes. There will be synchronous Zoom sessions which will include lectures, powerpoint presentations, film clips, and discussions. Students are encouraged to tune in to the live sessions, but the sessions will be recorded and uploaded to a Google Drive to watch at any time.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Students are encouraged to tune in to the synchronous sessions and encouraged to turn video cameras on so that you can see each other for better class time discussions.
GRADING
This is a writing intensive course. The final grade will be based on the following:
Attendance and Participation (10%):
Philosophy comes alive and most interesting through discussion, through engaging with each other about questions raised in the texts. Beginning the third week of the course there will be a weekly symposium in which we discuss the readings for the week. Please attend these discussions with your name visible when you log on to Zoom and your video cameras on. Each student will be expected to help lead at least two of the weekly discussions.
Short essay assignments (20% each)
Each student must complete 3 of 4 short essay assignments (3-4 pages each).
Final Term Paper (30%)
The final term paper should be 6-8 pages in length and develop at least one of the short essay assignments.
Grading will be determined according to the following scale:
A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60
SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS
Current, up to date statements regarding ITS, Disability Services, Advising, Academic Integrity, Kilohana Academic Success, Student Conduct, Mental Health, Students of Concern, and Title IX/EEO can be found at the following links:
Short Link
Mobile link
Course Schedule
Week 1: Introduction to Chinese Philosophy
Tai Chi Tu, 太極圖
The Great Ultimate, Zhang Huang, Ming Dynasty
Monday, 11 January
Course Introduction and Orientation
Outline of History of Chinese Philosophy
Overview of Chinese Philosophy
Key Philosophical Terms
Wednesday, 13 January
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
The Age of Complacency
(The Path: 1-14)
Introduction
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 17-28)
Friday, 15 January
Yinyang Philosophy
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
The Age of Philosophy
(The Path: 15-22)
Week 2: Confucianism—The Analects of Confucius
Kong Zi
(Confucius)
(551–479 BCE)
Portrait of Confucius as Minister of Justice in Lu State
Aonymous, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Ming dynasty
Monday, 18 January
* Holiday: Martin Luther King Day*
*January 19: Last day to register to add classes and to withdraw from courses without owing tuition*
Wednesday, 20 January
Da Due: "Expansive Learning"
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 59-65)
Friday, 22 January
The Analects of Confucius
Confucius on Personal Conduct and Character
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 67–92)
Week 3: Confucianism—The Analects of Confucius
Portrait of Confucius
Qiu Ying (about 1497 — 1552).
Monday, 25 January
The Analects of Confucius
Confucius' Political Philosophy
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 92–104)
Wednesday, 27 January
The Analects of Confucius
Confucius' Worldview and Attitude towards Spiritual Matters
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 104–112)
Friday, 29 January
Symposium on the Philosophy of Confucius
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Relationships: Confucius and As-If Rituals
(The Path: 23-53)
*January 29: Last day to exercise Credit/No Credit and final deadline to apply for Spring 2021 Graduation*
Week 4: Confucianism—The Philosophy of Meng Zi
Mengzi
(Mencius)
(372–289 BC or 385–303 or 302 BCE)
Portrait of Meng Zi
Anonymous, Yuan dynasty (1279-1368)
Monday, 01 February
Meng Zi
Meng Zi's View of Human Nature
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 113–125)
Film: Ju-Dou
*February 3: Last day to drop a class online without a "W" and last day to receive 50% refund for complete withdrawals.*
Wednesday, 03 February
Meng Zi
Meng Zi's Ethical & Political Philosophy
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 125–154)
Friday, 05 February
Symposium on the Philosophy of Meng Zi
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Decisions: Mencius and the Capricious World
(The Path: 55-85)
Week 5: Confucianism—The Philosophy of Xun Zi
Xun Zi
(c. 310-235 B.C.E.)
Monday, 08 February
Xun Zi
Encouraging Learning
Honor and Disgrace
Discussing the Military
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 155–177)
Wednesday, 10 February
Xun Zi
A Discourse on Tian (Heaven)
A Discourse on Li (Ritual Propriety)
Dissolving Beguilement
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 177–208)
Friday, 12 February
Week 6: Confucianism—The Philosophy of Xun Zi
Xun Zi
(c. 310-235 B.C.E.)
Monday, 15 February
*Holiday—President's Day*
Wednesday, 17 February
Xun Zi
Proper Terminology
Natural Dispositions are Detestable
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 208–233)
The Zhong Yong: "Excellence in the Ordinary"
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 235–245)
Friday, 19 February
Symposium on Confucianism
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Humanity: Xunzi and Putting Pattern in the World
(The Path: 163-181)
Writing Assignment #1
(Due Monday, February 22)
Week 7: Mohism—The School of Mo
Mo Zi
(c. 470-391 B.C.E.)
Monday, 22 February
Mo Zi
Philosophical System
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 249–268)
Wednesday, 24 February
Mo Zi
Rhetorical Criticism of Confucianism
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 268–274)
Friday, 26 February
Symposium on Mohism
Week 8: Daoism—The Lao Zi
Early Spring
Guo Xi, Song Dynasty, 1072
Monday, 01 March
Lao Zi
Dao De Jing (D.C.Lau 1963)
Dao De Jing (Feng & English 1989)
Dao De Jing (Ivanhoe & Van Norden 2001)
Ontology and Cosmology
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 277–291)
Wednesday, 03 March
Lao Zi
Phenomenology, Meditation, and Spiritual Cultivation
Tian Dao: The Way of the Cosmos
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 291–307)
Friday, 05 March
Symposium on the Lao Zi
Rivers and Tides
Week 9: Daoism—The Lao Zi
Laozi on an Ox
Zhang Lu, Ming Dynasty
Monday, 08 March
Lao Zi
Ren Dao: The Way of Humans
Wu Wei: Politics, Utopianism, and Empire
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 307–328)
Wednesday, 10 March
The Inward Training
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Vitality: The Inward Training and Being like a Spirit
(The Path: 119-139)
Friday, 12 March
Symposium on Daoism
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Influence: Laozi and Generating Worlds
(The Path: 87-117)
Video on Daoism
Writing Assignment #2
(Due Monday, March 22)
**Spring Recess** March 15-19
Week 10: Daoism—The Zhuang Zi
Zhuang Zi
(369-298 BCE)
Monday, 22 March
Zhuang Zi
Introduction:
The Butterfly Dream
Trained Spontaneity
Wednesday, 24 March
Zhuang Zi
Vastness and Wandering Beyond
Philosophy of Vastness as Developed in the Outer Chapters
Transformation: Living and Dying with Tranquility
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 329–360)
Friday, 26 March
*Holiday—Prince Kuhio Day*
Week 11: Daoism—The Zhuang Zi
Zhuangzi Dreaming of a Butterfly
Ink on silk, Lu Zhi, Ming Dynasty
Monday, 29 March
Zhuang Zi
Natural Potency De
Governing
Daoist Philosophy of Skill
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 377–396)
*March 29: Last day to drop a class online with a "W"*
Wednesday, 31 March
Symposium on the Zhuang Zi
Friday, 02 April
*Holiday—Good Friday*
Week 12: Daoism—The Zhuang Zi
On a Mountain Path in Spring
Ma Yuan (馬遠, c.1160-1225), Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Monday, 05 April
Zhuang Zi
Language, Knowledge, and Evaluation
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 377–396)
Wednesday, 07 April
Zhuang Zi
Utopianism and Mystical Imperialism:
Two Strands of Thought from the Outer Chapters
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 397–410)
Friday, 09 April
Symposium on the Zhuang Zi
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
On Spontaneity: Zhuangzi and a World of Transformation
(The Path: 141-161)
Writing Assignment #3
(Due Monday, April 19)
Week 13: Legalism—The Han Fei Zi
Kneeling crossbowman from the Terracotta Army
assembled for the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang,
founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China.
Monday, 12 April
Han Fei Zi
Fundamentals of Legalism
Defense of Legalism, and Criticism of Confucianism and Mohism
(Philosophers of the Warring States: 413–435)
Wednesday, 14 April
Film:
Hero
Friday, 16 April
Symposium on the film Hero
Week 14: Chinese Buddhism
The Sixth Patriarch Cutting the Bamboo
Liang Kai, Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Hanging scroll, ink on paper, Tokyo National Museum
Monday, 19 April
Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Distinctive Chinese Schools of Buddhism
Three Buddhist Sutras
Patterns in Nature
Fractals: A World in a Grain of Sand
Wednesday, 21 April
Friday, 23 April
Symposium on Chinese Buddhism
Week 15: Neo-Confucianism
Zhu Xi
(1130-1200 CE)
Monday, 26 April
Wednesday, 28 April
Friday, 30 April
Symposium on Neo-Confucianism
Writing Assignment #4
(Due Monday, May 3)
Week 16: Conclusion—Chinese Philosophy in the Modern World
Golden Autumn 金秋,
ink and watercolor on paper, mounted on board, Cao Jun, 2017.
Monday, 03 May
What Chinese Philosophy Can Teach Us About the Good Life
The Age of Possibility
(The Path: 183-198)
We Have Been Harmonized: Life in China's Surveillance State
Kai Strittmatter, NPR Interview
Discussion
Wednesday, 05 May
Symposium on the Relevance of Chinese Philosophy in the Modern World
Term Paper Assignment
(Due Monday, May 10)
Final Exam
Monday, 10 May (2:00 - 4:00 PM)
The final exam is the Term Paper, due by the of the exam period.
**Schedule is subject to revision**