Introductory description

This module is an introduction to classical Chinese philosophy through its foundational early texts – the Analects of Confucius (Kongzi), Mozi, Mencius (Mengzi), Xunzi, Daodejing, Zhuangzi, and Han Feizi, among others. Situating these texts within their shifting historical and conceptual landscape, we will study the key issues of debate that animated early philosophers in China and learn about the diverse ways in which they confronted basic questions of ethics, epistemology, and politics: What are the norms and patterns that should guide human life, and how do we come to know them? What are the means and ends of self-cultivation? How should we order our relations with each other and with the world? We will be engaged in close reading of source texts (in translation) and in the critical analysis of the scholarly literature. We will also pay attention to methodological problems involved in the study of Chinese and cross-cultural philosophy.

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. Introduction: Conceptual and Historical Background
Week 2. Confucius
Week 3. Mozi
Week 4. Mencius (Mengzi)
Week 5. Laozi (Daodejing)
Week 6. Reading week (no classes)
Week 7. Zhuangzi
Week 8. Xunzi
Week 9. Han Feizi and Legalism
Week 10. Philosophy in the Age of Empire: the Annals of Lu Buwei and the Huainanzi

Learning outcomes

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

• Have an understanding of the main concepts, concerns and positions found in the key early texts of the Chinese philosophical tradition, and of the debates within which they emerged.
• Appreciate the philosophical significance of the ideas and positions forwarded by early thinkers and be able to bring these ideas and perspectives into engagement with broader philosophical discussions and debates.
• Be familiar with the contours of the scholarly literature on the texts we have studied and be able to critically assess this literature.
• Have developed skills in the analysis and interpretation of early Chinese philosophical texts and be able to effectively communicate one’s ideas about them in writing and in class discussions.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Students will be engaged in the close reading and analysis of primary and secondary literature as part of their preparatory work for both class discussions and for their essays.

Interdisciplinary

Sources studied cross modern disciplinary boundaries of philosophy, textual/literary studies, history and religion.

International

Sources studied consist of translations of texts that were written in classical Chinese and that emerged out of cultures quite distinct from the Anglo-European traditions that students are usually familiar with.

Subject specific skills

Understanding of the key philosophical ideas and contributions of the major texts of the early Chinese philosophical tradition, as well as the debates in which they emerged; familiarity with the positions and approaches taken in the scholarly literature on these texts; and an ability to bring the ideas and approaches found in these texts into engagement with issues of general philosophical concern.

Transferable skills

Development of ability to read, analyse and think critically about a wide range of texts, to draw out their philosophical significance, and to write clearly about them; broadening of perspectives and resources for approaching foundational questions of ethics, knowledge, and politics; and the cultivation of new and alternative ways of thinking about how philosophy might be done.