SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
PHIL207
INTRODUCTION TO
CLASSICAL CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
Term 1 AY2016/17
Instructor: Steven Burik
Office: SOSS Level 4, room 4059
Tel No: 6828 0866
Email: [email protected]
1) COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide a detailed coverage of the most important works of
classical Chinese philosophy from the Spring and Autumn period to the end of
the Warring States Period, that is from roughly 722 until 221 BCE. We will look
extensively at the two major philosophical schools, Confucianism and Daoism,
and relate these two to the other important thinkers of the era. The course will
include close readings of the major texts of the time, in selected passages from
English translations of The Analects, Mencius, Laozi/Daodejing, Zhuangzi, as
well as passages from the Xunzi, Mozi, and Hanfeizi. From these readings we
will endeavour an understanding of the most important differences between
Western and Chinese philosophy, the differences in interpretation and worldview,
how classical Chinese thought has contributed to what China is today, and relate
these ways of thought to some current affairs.
Near the end of the course we shall take a closer look at the Sun-tzu: The Art of
Warfare, a philosophical/military work from the classical Chinese era, popular in
Business and Management practices, and relate this work to the philosophical
background of the major texts studied. From this we will learn how and why the
combination of politics/warfare and philosophy was a natural one in the Classical
Chinese worldview, and explain the philosophy behind this combination with a
view to the popularity of this work in business and management.
As this is a course which requires some insight into philosophical reasoning it is
preferable, but not necessary, that students have taken the Analytical Skills
(IDIS001) course prior to this course.
2) COURSE OBJECTIVES
There are several practical goals or objectives to this course. It is anticipated that
if you successfully complete this course then you will have acquired both
theoretical knowledge of Classical Chinese Philosophy and the moral issues
pertaining to Chinese philosophy, and practical skills in philosophical analysis,
involving, but not limited to, the specifically Chinese ways of understanding and
doing philosophy. You should then be able to:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Demonstrate that you understand the most important schools of thought in
Classical China.
Evaluate these schools in relation to each other.
Understand the most important themes of philosophical inquiry in
Classical Chinese thought.
Explain the major differences between Chinese and Western approaches
in philosophy in terms of their strengths and weaknesses.
Coherently write and present your individual views in logically sound and
rationally structured ways.
Relate the philosophical issues and ways of thinking discussed to modern
day China and problematics in politics and society.
3) SEMINARS
The seminars will be three hour sessions comprising a mixed mode of lecturing,
dialogue and student presentations followed by group questions and discussion.
A typical seminar will start off with a lecture on the topic of the day, followed by
discussion of that topic, a presentation and a discussion of the presentation.
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Seminars are not designed to give you the answers, but rather to explore the
fundamental questions in the discipline. If you are to follow the themes and
connected discussions of philosophical problems in the seminars, regular
attendance will be necessary.
There will be scope for discussion in the seminars. You are encouraged to
participate by asking questions to clarify things you do not understand, or by
offering comments if you believe this would be helpful.
Intelligent participation in seminars requires that you read as much as you
can in preparation for your classes, and follow up reading afterwards.
SMU encourages students to attend and participate effectively in all lectures.
If you are unable to attend class or are prevented from doing so by illness or
other cause, courtesy requires that you should inform your instructors.
The second half of each seminar is meant to provide scope for you to clarify
points that have been raised, to express your own ideas, and to debate
opinions with your instructors and fellow students. Each student is required to
prepare and defend arguments on a variety of topics before the presentation
section of the seminar.
4) ASSESSMENTS
Class participation:
Group presentation:
Essays (2):
Final examination:
Total:
10%
20%
40%
30%
100%
Class participation: Students will be graded on quality and frequency of
participation in discussions, questions asked or points brought up, and on
preparedness and attendance.
Group presentation: Student will be required to make a group presentation in one
class session. Students will present an outline or summary of the readings for
that week, present the key points and come up with questions regarding the
material and with topics of discussion, based on examples found within the texts
or within modern day settings where such topics are relevant.
Essays: Students will write two 4/5 page essays on one topic of their choice, to
be discussed with and approved by the instructor beforehand. Topics could
include various key terms of Chinese thinking, the particular way of one of the
philosophical schools, the various relations between Chinese and Western
philosophy, or an application of Chinese philosophy to a current issue. The first
essay will provide a basic outline of the topic and a discussion of the way the
various schools of Chinese (and/or Western) philosophy have interpreted this
topic. It is not argumentative, but will function as an introduction to the problem
that the student chooses and as an outline of what he/she wants to do in the
second essay. This first essay will be worth 20% and is to be handed in week 7,
before mid-term break. The second essay will be a deeper discussion of your
topic, in which you show your knowledge of the different problems that surround
it and attempt a solution or a new insight into the problem. This essay will be
worth another 20% and is to be handed in the week before final class.
* Note: The topic of the essay must be different from that of your presentation.
Final Examination: Students will take a 2-hour final examination. The final
examination covers all the material discussed in the course of the semester. It
will be an open book examination, comprising five questions, of which the
student must attempt four.
5) REQUIRED READINGS
Selected passages from A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy from Wing-tsit
Chan (Princeton University Press, 1963) will be used. This book is available at
Booklink.
In addition students will be provided with short passages from the following
books:
- Sun-tzu: the art of warfare, translated by R.T. Ames (Ballantine Books, 1993)
- The Analects of Confucius, translated by R.T. Ames & H. Rosemont, jr.
(Ballantine Books, 1998)
-The Mencius, translated by D.C. Lau (Penguin, 1970)
-DaoDeJing, translated by R.T. Ames & D. L. Hall (Ballantine Books, 2003)
-Zhuangzi, translated by B. Watson (Columbia University Press, 2003)
-Basic Writings of Mo Tzu, Hsun Tzu, and Han Fei Tzu, translated by B. Watson
(Columbia University Press, 1967)
Other writings will be included if such is necessary during the course.
6) TOPICS BY WEEK
1
SEMINARS
WHAT IS CHINESE
PHILOSOPHY?
Introduction and outline
of the course.
2
CONFUCIANISM: The
Analects.
3
CONFUCIANISM: The
Analects.
4
CONFUCIANISM:
Mencius. Idealistic
Confucianism.
TOPICS AND REQUIRED READING
Explanation of key concepts and approach
that we will take, with a special focus on the
main differences between Western and
Chinese philosophy. The problem of
language and translation.
Preface and pages 3-13
Introduction to Confucius’ thought and his
person. Exploration of the notions of filial
piety, ritual propriety, the love of learning.
Pages 14-48
The rectification of names and translation:
the function of language. Permanence and
impermanence: The notion of situationality:
righteousness vs. appropriateness in
Confucius’ humanism.
Pages 14-48
human nature as originally good. The ways
to retrieve the lost nature: Righteousness,
humanity, the right to revolt.
Pages 49-83
5
CONFUCIANISM: Xunzi
(Hsun Tzu). Naturalistic
Confucianism.
6
THE FIRST
CHALLENGE TO
CONFUCIANISM: Mozi
(Mo Tzu).
7
DAOISM: Daodejing.
FIRST ESSAY deadline
9
DAOISM: Daodejing.
10
DAOISM: Zhuangzi.
11
DAOISM: Zhuangzi.
12
LEGALISM: Hanfeizi
(Han Fei Tzu).
human nature as originally evil. Why man is
evil by nature and good only through
civilisation. Language and reality: by
convention only.
Pages 115-135
Tian (nature, heaven) as the productive
factor: The continuity between man and the
heavens.
Arguments
from
authority,
empirics and utility. The shift from
aristocracy to meritocracy.
Pages 211-231
Western translations and worldviews
imposed. Exploration of key concepts: dao,
wuwei, ziran, tian. The ineffability of dao:
transcendent reality or process cosmogony?
Pages 136-176
Yin-yang: dichotomy or supplementarity.
The impossibility of a final ground. Being
and Non-Being (you and wu). Guidance for
a philosopher king: the rule by wuwei. The
major differences between Confucianism
and Daoism.
Pages 136-176
The deconstructionist sceptic. Not saying
anything final, but still saying something: the
provisionality
and
descriptiveness
of
language in Early Chinese philosophy.
Pages 177-210
Experience, anticipation and spontaneity.
Knowing in Daoism: to learn or not to learn.
Exploration of a different way of knowing.
Zhuangzi: mystic or relativist? The escape
from public office as a way of integrity.
Pages 177-210
Legalism as a critique on Confucian values.
The pragmatic and ruthless approach to
government. How the legalists turned dao to
their advantage. Confucian pretence,
legalist reality?
Pages 251-261
13
APPLIED
PHILOSOPHY: Sun-tzu.
Wisdom and war
14
Study week
15
Final Exam
The connection in the Chinese worldview.
War as a last resort. The central notion of
Harmony in Chinese philosophy: war as a
means to redefine social/political order. Shih
(strategic advantage), Yin (adaptation to
circumstances), and Chih (pre-knowledge):
Know your enemy and know yourself. The
yin-yang deliberations of the strategist.
Revision of course.
Selected passages from Ames’ Sun Tzu:
The Art of War.
No class
7) ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All acts of academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating,
fabrication, facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized
possession of exam questions, or tampering with the academic work of other
students) are serious offences.
All work (whether oral or written) submitted for purposes of assessment must be
the student’s own work. Penalties for violation of the policy range from zero
marks for the component assessment to expulsion, depending on the nature of
the offense.
When in doubt, students should consult the instructors of the course. Details on
the SMU Code of Academic Integrity may be accessed at
http://www.smuscd.org/resources.html.
8) ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS
SMU strives to make learning experiences accessible for all. If you anticipate or
experience physical or academic barriers due to disability, please let us know
immediately. You are also welcome to contact the university's disability support
team if you have questions or concerns about academic accommodations:
[email protected]
END