Introductory description

This module will introduce you to philosophical Daoism, one of the most important schools of thought in Chinese philosophy. In particular, you will learn how, for Daoism, finding a way (a dao 道) through life is both a matter of self-cultivation and political decision.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1
Preliminary remarks on the specificity of Chinese philosophy

Week 2
The political view of the Daodejing

Week 3
Norms and knowledge in the Daodejing

Week 4
Norms and knowledge in the Zhuangzi

Week 5
Zhuangzi, skill stories and aesthetic awareness

Week 7
The Daoist influence in Sun Tzu’s Art of War

Week 8
The dao of the ruler in the Hanfeizi

Week 9
Daoism and environmental ethics

Week 10
Concluding remarks: finding dao through life, finding life through dao.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the different components (ethics, law and politics) of Daoist philosophy.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the specific character of Daoist philosophy in relation to both Chinese and Western philosophical traditions.
• Communicate clearly and substantively in speech and in writing on the questions addressed in the module.
• Critically assess the key claims and arguments of the core texts, and the debates to which they have given rise.
• Organise philosophical research and engage independently in philosophical debate.

Indicative reading list

Allinson, Robert E. 1989a. Chuang-Tzu for Spiritual Transformation: An Analysis of the Inner Chapters. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Ames, Roger T., trans. 1993. Sun-Tzu: The Art of Warfare: The First English Translation Incorporating the Recently Discovered Yin-chʻüeh-shan Texts. New York: Ballantine Books.
Ames, Roger T., and David L. Hall, trans. 2003. Daodejing: “Making This Life Significant”: A Philosophical Translation. New York: Ballantine Books.
Ames, Roger T., and Henry Rosemont, Jr. 2013. “On Translation & Interpretation in Comparative Studies – With Special Reference to Classical Chinese.” Comparative Studies of China and the West 1:25-32.
Cheng, Chung-ying. 1989. “Chinese Metaphysics as Non-metaphysics: Confucian and Taoist Insights into the Nature of Reality.” In Understanding the Chinese Mind: The Philosophical Roots, edited by Robert E. Allinson, 167-208. Hong Kong; Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Clarke, J.J. 2000. The Tao of the West: Western transformations of Taoist thought. London; New York: Routledge.
Coutinho, Steve. 2014. An introduction to Daoist Philosophies. New York: Columbia University Press.
Graham, A. C., trans. 1981/1989. Chuang-tzŭ: The Seven Inner Chapters and Other Writings From the Book Chuang-tzŭ. London; Boston; Sydney; New Zealand: Unwin Paperbacks.
Kjellberg, Paul, and P. J. Ivanhoe. 1996. Essays on Skepticism, Relativism, and Ethics in the Zhuangzi. New York: State University of New York Press.
Lai, Karyn. 2007. “Ziran and Wuwei in the Daodejing: An Ethical Assessment.” Dao. A Journal of Comparative Philosophy 6 (4):325–337.
Loy, David. 1985. “Wei-Wu-Wei: Nondual Action.” Philosophy East and West 35:73–86.
Moeller, Hans-Georg. 2009. The Moral Fool: A Case for Amorality. New York: Columbia University Press.
Watson, Burton, trans. 2003. Han Feizi: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press.
Wu, Kuang-ming. 1990. The Butterfly as Companion: Meditations on the First Three Chapters of the Chuang-Tzu. Albany: State University of New York Press.

Subject specific skills

Through this module you will acquire the ability to (a) understand the distinctive features and aims of the Daoist tradition and its influence in Chinese philosophy; (b) recognise and interpret specific concepts in the Daoist texts and compare them with both Western and Chinese philosophical traditions; (c) pursue independent philosophical research.

Transferable skills

Through this module you will acquire (a) The ability to communicate information (verbally and in written form) to people both expert and non-expert in the field; (b) The ability to analyse, evaluate, critique and apply complex information gathered from reading, reflection, reasoning or communication; (c) The ability to effectively manage schedules and deadlines.