Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy

This course aims to acquint students with basic knowledge (i.e., some of the key debates and ideas) of the six ancient Chinese philosophy schools‘ thoughts against their contemporaneous Chinese milieux background as well as its impacts on the later East Asia region‘s cultural development. After the course, students will be able to recognize, distinguish and to some degree interpret the main concepts and assumptions of these six schools. As well, the knowledge acquired by the students in this course is not merely an introduction to these ancient Chinese philosophies but also helps to consolidate the students‘ knowledge of other courses in the programme during their previous studies such as History of Chinese Civilization, History of Japan, History of Korea and Intercultural Communication (East-West), etc. Further, based upon the course‘s knowledge, the students are expected to gradually develop their own critical thinking about the interconnection and dynamics in the various Asian cultural phenomena (e.g., the contemplations on how classical Chinese philosophy affects the countries in the region resulting in the concept of sinosphere).

The course aims to make students acquainted with basic aspects of Japanese culture and social development, as well as to determine the characteristic elements of Japanese culture in international context.

The students who possess basic understanding of the East Asian region’s history, culture (e.g., after finished the first two years’ East Asian Countries Programme studies) are ready for this course study.

1. What is Chinese Philosophy? Introduce the students about the course arrangement, and synoptically outline the ancient Chinese philosophy‘s features, e.g., a historical background that gives rise to the emergence of Chinese Philosophy during the Late Spring and Autumn period (476-404 BC) and its development in the Warring States period (403-221 BC), the major schools‘ name and preeminent figures, etc. 2. Legalism (??). Present Legalism‘s ideas and principles, its preeminent thinkers and their works. Some short comparisons between Legalism and its Western resemblances such as Hobbes and Machiavelli‘s theories. 3. Long Seminar for Legalism. Student present their thoughts through reading the course article, and to have a debate regarding the Legalism. 4. Confucianism (??). Present Confucianism‘s ideas and principles, its preeminent thinkers and their works. The key discrepancy between Confucius and Mencius. 5. Long Seminar for Confucianism. Student present their thoughts through reading the course article, and to have a debate regarding the Confucianism. 6. School of Names (??). Present School of Names‘ ideas and principles, its preeminent thinkers and their works. Use examples to explain why this school had been excelling in logical sophism - the detached significant in play. 7. Long Seminar for School of Names. The students will debate on some selected argument which School of Names‘ logical formula. 8. Taology (??). Present Taology‘ ideas and principles, its preeminent thinkers and their works. The relationship between Taology and Daoism, and the short encounter between Laozi and Confucius. 9. Long Seminar for Taology. The students will debate about the Taology‘s political idea through reading the course articles. 10. Mohism (??). Present School of Names‘ ideas and principles, its preeminent thinkers and their works. The main influence of Mohism as the one of three Ancient formal logic system (together with India‘s Buddhist logico-epistemology and Aristotelian logic in Ancient Greece). 11. School of Naturalists (???). Present the ancient Chinese scholars‘ comments on the fragments of School of Naturalists‘ works, its vast influences in the Chinese folklore religion and the social milieux regarding the issues like interpersonal/communal relationship, government legitimacy, social justice, etc., 12. Long Seminar on both Mohism and School of Naturalists.

Ability to explain the ancient Chinese philosophy school‘s historical background during the Late Spring and Autumn period (770 - 403BC) and Warring States period (403 - 221BC). Ability to define the main concepts and assumptions used used by the six different Chinese philosophy schools Ability to describe the links between the six ancient Chinese philosophies and the regional phenomena. Ability to use the ancient Chinese philosopy knowledge to find out the differences between them and the Western thinking (not necessary be strict to philosophy definition, but the conventional wisdom in the Western daily life also suitable) Completion of the course assignments by following format guidelines and deadlines. Ability to engage in an active discussion during lectures and seminars.