PL 297B Chinese Philosophy

Instructor: Jim Behuniak Meeting: Lovejoy 302

Semester: Fall, 2006 TR 1-2:15

Office: Lovejoy 252 Contact: Jim.Behuniak@colby.edu

Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 2:30-3:30; 859-4559

Weds. 1:30-3:30 (or by appointment)

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the major thoughts, texts, and thinkers in the classical period of Chinese philosophy, which covers roughly the sixth through the third centuries B.C.E. We will cover the following figures: Confucius, Laozi, Mozi, Mencius, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Gongsun Long, Yang Zhu, as well as the Yijing or "Books of Changes". Readings include both primary materials and contemporary scholarship on the philosophy of the period.

Course Objectives:

The aim of this course is three-fold: 1) to provide an overview of the philosophical questions that motivated thinkers in early China; 2) to provide an appreciation for how various answers to these questions have shaped the thoughts and attitudes of East Asian peoples; and lastly (and as always), 3) to take aim at the fundamental object of philosophical inquiry; in other words, we will be asking ourselves, "What is the Good Life?" This course, ultimately, is not about the history of theoretical positions (although we do consider that); rather, it involves engagement with living traditions: prescriptive "ways" of life (dao 道) considered as live options.

Required Texts:

An Introduction to Chinese Philosophy, JeeLoo Liu (Blackwell)

Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy, Ivanhoe and Van Norden (Hackett)

The Analects of Confucius, Ames and Rosemont (Ballantine)

Tao Te Ching, Feng and English (Vintage)

Recommended Texts:

Zhuangzi: Basic Writings, Watson (Columbia Univ. Press)

Required Texts on Reserve (Also available online as E-books):

Religious and Philosophical Aspects of the Laozi, Csikszentmihalyi and Ivanhoe (SUNY Press)

Wandering at Ease in the Zhuangzi, Ames (SUNY Press)

Required E-Reserves:

Ames: "The Chinese Conception of Selfhood," by Roger T. Ames.

Graham: "Rationalism and Anti-Rationalism in Pre-Buddhist China," by A.C. Graham.

Hall: "The Way and the Truth," by David L. Hall.

Behuniak: "Symbolic Reference and Prognostication in the Yijing," by James Behuniak, Jr.

Assignments, Polices, Responsibilities, and Grades:

You will have two papers due this semester: a shorter first paper (4-5 pages; roughly 1200-1500 words) and a longer second paper (14-16 pages; roughly 4000-5000 words). Topics for the first paper will be provided. The topic for the second paper will be of your own choosing; you will, however, be required to submit to me a one-page prospectus (including a proposed bibliography) and to meet with me regarding your topic prior to writing the paper.

In addition to your two papers, work this semester will include the submission of two article summaries, each of which will engage contemporary research in early Chinese philosophy. You will choose one article from each of two recently edited volumes. Your article summaries will consist of an expository presentation of the author's thesis, a sketch of the argument, and a brief response. Summaries will not exceed 1000 words (aim for roughly 3 pages).

Your final grade will be computed as follows: First Paper (20%), Article Summaries (15% each), and Second Paper (50%). Attendance is vital and will be taken at the start of each class session. Your second absence without a valid excuse (see Colby's Attendance and Absence Policy) will result in a full letter grade reduction in your final grade. Each additional absence will also result in a full letter grade reduction. Also, no late papers or article reviews can be accepted without a valid excuse. Excessive tardiness will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may result in grade reduction. Please come to class on time.

You are responsible for completing all reading assignments on the dates indicated. Extensive discussion questions and a vocabulary list for each philosopher will be provided, this to help you master the terminology and facilitate discussion and participation. You will be expected to have considered the discussion questions over the course of your reading and you should anticipate being called upon to respond to them in class. Class participation will definitely count. I reserve the right to reduce final grades by one-half letter grade due to especially poor class participation. I also reserve the right to raise a final grade by the same degree for especially good participation.

The primary materials in this course can be disorientating and often overwhelming. As with any philosophical material, it is sometimes necessary to read something two or three times in order to grasp what is being said. In the case of Chinese philosophy, sometimes even multiple readings leave the meaning unclear. If you find yourself puzzled, formulate questions and bring them to class. Also, do not hesitate to formulate and express your own understanding of what a passage means. Keep in mind that the Chinese intellectual tradition is largely a commentarial tradition, one that is advanced by the interpretation of the texts that you are reading.

Do not miss class. If you must, be sure to keep up with the reading and to find out if you missed any important announcements or handouts. In the event of an excused absence, I will be happy to meet with you to discuss the class that you missed. It will be assumed that you have done the reading in advance of such a meeting.

If you are diagnosed with a learning difference, you are entitled to all necessary accommodations. For more information, contact Associate Dean of Students Mark Serdjenian (x4255). Such needs can only be accommodated as directed by his office.

Please familiarize yourself with Colby's policy on Academic Honesty, contained in the Student Handbook. Any form of plagiarism will result in an immediate "F" in this course and may result in further actions as outlined in the policy. If you are unsure about the propriety of something in relation to Colby's policy, feel free to discuss it with me.

Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignments:

R 9/7 Introduction

T 9/12 OVERVIEW

Read: Readings in Classical Chinese Phil. (RCCP), pp. XI-XVII.

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy (ICP), pp. 1-25.

Analects of Confucius (AC), pp. 1-19.

R 9/14 CONFUCIUS

Read: At least the first five books of AC (pp. 71-102).

T 9/19 CONFUCIUS

Read: At least the first fifteen books of AC (through pg. 193).

R 9/21 CONFUCIUS

Read: Have finished AC.

T 9/26 CONFUCIUS

Read: E-Reserve: Ames

R 9/28 CONFUCIUS

Read: ICP, pp. 47-64.

T 10/3 MOZI SHORTER PAPER DUE

Read: RCCP, pp. 59-113.

R 10/5 MOZI

Read: ICP, pp. 108-130

T 10/10 MENCIUS

Read: RCCP, pp. 115-159.

R 10/12 MENCIUS

Read: ICP, pp. 65-85.

T 10/17 FALL BREAK

R 10/19 LAOZI

Read: Entire Tao Te Ching

T 10/24 LAOZI

Read: ICP, pp. 131-151.

R 10/26 LAOZI

Read: "Re-exploring the Analogy of the Dao and the Field," in

Religious and Philosophical Aspects of the Laozi, pp. 161-173. Choose an additional article from this volume for your review.

T 10/31 NO MEETING – Make up Class T.B.A. Article Summary Due

Read: RCCP, pp. 363-375.

R 11/2 ZHUANGZI

Read: RCCP, pp.207-224.

T 11/7 ZHUANGZI

Read: RCCP, pp. 224-253; ICP, pp. 152-181 (optional).

R 11/9 ZHUANGZI

Read: "Knowing in the Zhuangzi: From Here, on the Bridge, Over the River Hao," in Wandering at Ease in the Zhuangzi, pp. 219-230. Choose an additional article from this volume for your review.

T 11/14 ZHUANGZI Article Summary Due

Read: E-Reserves: Graham & Hall

R 11/16 XUNZI

Read: RCCP, pp. 255-309.

T 11/21 XUNZI

Read: ICP, pp. 86-107.

R 11/23 THANKSGIVING

T 11/28 HANFEI PROSPECTUS DUE

Read: RCCP, pp. 311-361.

R 11/30 HANFEI

Read: ICP, pp. 182-205.

T 12/5 YIJING

Read: ICP, pp. 26-46; E-Reserve: Behuniak

R 12/7 Conclusion FINAL PAPER DUE ON EXAM DATE