BASC80166 - Chinese Philosophy

Course Description

This class will take up an introductory the foundational texts of Confucianism and Taoism, beginning with the Analects and the Mengzi, and following up with the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu. For the Analects and also for the Tao Te Ching, we will use translations which offer a selection of brief interpretive commentaries on each verse by traditional Chinese interpreters to guide us in our interpretations. We will also discuss the ways in which Confucianism and Taoism coexisted and somewhat intermingled in Chinese culture. Please begin by reading pp. 1-110 of Confucius: Analects, With Selections from Traditional Commentaries (Hackett).

Course Outline

Texts:

Confucius, Analects. Tr Arthur Waley. Vintage, ISBN 978-0679722960

Mengzi, with Selections from the Traditional Commentaries. Hackett, ISBN 978-0872209138

Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, Tr Red Pine. Copper Canyon Press. ISBN 978-1556592904

Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings, tr, Burton Watson. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0231105958