The Making of the “Junzi”
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Two Conceptions of Harmony in Ancient Western and Eastern Aesthetics: “Dialectic Harmony” and “Ambiguous Harmony”
TWO CONCEPTIONS OF HARMONY IN ANCIENT WESTERN AND EASTERN AESTHETICS: “DIALECTIC HARMONY” AND “AMBIGUOUS HARMONY” Tak-lap Yeung∗ Abstract: In this paper, I argue that the different understandings of “harmony”, which are rooted in ancient Greek and Chinese thought, can be recapitulated in the name of “dialectic harmony” and “ambiguous harmony” regarding the representation of the beautiful. The different understandings of the concept of harmony lead to at least two kinds of aesthetic value as well as ideality – harmony in conciliation and harmony in diversity. Through an explication of the original meaning and relation between the concept of harmony and beauty, we can learn more about the cosmo-metaphysical origins in Western and Eastern aesthetics, with which we may gain insights for future aesthetics discourse. Introduction It is generally accepted that modern philosophy can trace itself back to two major origin points, ancient Greece in the West and China in the East. To understand the primary presuppositions of Western and Eastern philosophical aesthetics, we must go back to these origins and examine the core concepts which have had a great influence on later aesthetic representation. Inspecting the conception of “harmony”, a central concept of philosophical aesthetic thought for both the ancient Greek and Chinese world, may bring us valuable insight in aesthetic differences which persist today. In the following, I argue that the different understandings of “harmony”, which are rooted in ancient Greek and Chinese thought, can be recapitulated in the name of “dialectic harmony” and “ambiguous harmony” regarding the representation of the beautiful.1 The different understandings of the concept of harmony lead to, at least, two kinds of aesthetic value as well as ideality – harmony in conciliation and harmony in diversity. -
Basic Ethical Terms of Confucianism
ROCZNIKI TEOLOGICZNE Volume LXIV, issue 3 – 2017 English version DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18290/rt.2017.64.3–4en ∗ REV. SŁAWOMIR NOWOSAD BASIC ETHICAL TERMS OF CONFUCIANISM Abstract. Confucianism has been a leading Chinese philosophical and ethical tradition for a long time. Not just Confucius himself but also Mencius and Xunzi contributed to its de- velopment over the centuries. In this paper the principal ethical notions of Confucianism–junzi , dao , ren and li – are characterized in their rich essence and unique context. Though ostensibly having much in common, those concepts can be paralleled to the Western ones only with difficulty and to a limited extent. Key words: Confucianism; Confucian ethics; junzi ; dao ; ren ; li . Among the philosophical systems of Chinese antiquity, Confucianism ap- pears to be the most common one, permanently shaping mentality and cus- toms of many societies.1 Despite many years of efforts to introduce atheism to Chinese society in the 20 th century and despite attempts to eradicate Con- fucian values and norms of life, Confucian system has, to some extent, re- mained present as a philosophy of thinking and ethics of acting. Confucius (551–479 BC), who gave name and started this system, lived in the final stage of the restless Spring and Autumn period (8 th—5th century BC), during the reign of the Zhou dynasty.2 He was a teacher and educator, a philosopher and publisher. He was also engaged in politics, performing the function of the Minister of Crime. He was familiar with music and poetry. Confucius ∗ Rev. Dr hab. SŁAWOMIR NOWOSAD , prof. -
The Analects of Confucius
The analecTs of confucius An Online Teaching Translation 2015 (Version 2.21) R. Eno © 2003, 2012, 2015 Robert Eno This online translation is made freely available for use in not for profit educational settings and for personal use. For other purposes, apart from fair use, copyright is not waived. Open access to this translation is provided, without charge, at http://hdl.handle.net/2022/23420 Also available as open access translations of the Four Books Mencius: An Online Teaching Translation http://hdl.handle.net/2022/23421 Mencius: Translation, Notes, and Commentary http://hdl.handle.net/2022/23423 The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean: An Online Teaching Translation http://hdl.handle.net/2022/23422 The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean: Translation, Notes, and Commentary http://hdl.handle.net/2022/23424 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION i MAPS x BOOK I 1 BOOK II 5 BOOK III 9 BOOK IV 14 BOOK V 18 BOOK VI 24 BOOK VII 30 BOOK VIII 36 BOOK IX 40 BOOK X 46 BOOK XI 52 BOOK XII 59 BOOK XIII 66 BOOK XIV 73 BOOK XV 82 BOOK XVI 89 BOOK XVII 94 BOOK XVIII 100 BOOK XIX 104 BOOK XX 109 Appendix 1: Major Disciples 112 Appendix 2: Glossary 116 Appendix 3: Analysis of Book VIII 122 Appendix 4: Manuscript Evidence 131 About the title page The title page illustration reproduces a leaf from a medieval hand copy of the Analects, dated 890 CE, recovered from an archaeological dig at Dunhuang, in the Western desert regions of China. The manuscript has been determined to be a school boy’s hand copy, complete with errors, and it reproduces not only the text (which appears in large characters), but also an early commentary (small, double-column characters). -
The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis: Most Credible Theory of Human Evolution Free Download
THE AQUATIC APE HYPOTHESIS: MOST CREDIBLE THEORY OF HUMAN EVOLUTION FREE DOWNLOAD Elaine Morgan | 208 pages | 01 Oct 2009 | Souvenir Press Ltd | 9780285635180 | English | London, United Kingdom Aquatic ape hypothesis In addition, the evidence cited by AAH The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis: Most Credible Theory of Human Evolution mostly concerned developments in soft tissue anatomy and physiology, whilst paleoanthropologists rarely speculated on evolutionary development of anatomy beyond the musculoskeletal system and brain size as revealed in fossils. His summary at the end was:. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Thanks for your comment! List of individual apes non-human Apes in space non-human Almas Bigfoot Bushmeat Chimpanzee—human last common ancestor Gorilla—human last common ancestor Orangutan—human last common ancestor Gibbon —human last common ancestor List of fictional primates non-human Great apes Human evolution Monkey Day Mythic humanoids Sasquatch Yeren Yeti Yowie. Thomas Brenna, PhD". I think that we need to formulate a new overall-theory, a new anthropological paradigm, about the origin of man. This idea has been flourishing since Charles Darwin and I think that many scientists and laymen will have difficulties in accepting the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis — as they believe in our brain rather than in our physical characteristics. Last common ancestors Chimpanzee—human Gorilla—human Orangutan—human Gibbon—human. I can see two possible future scenarios for the Aquatic Ape Theory. University The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis: Most Credible Theory of Human Evolution Chicago Press. Human Origins Retrieved 16 January The AAH is generally ignored by anthropologists, although it has a following outside academia and has received celebrity endorsement, for example from David Attenborough. -
Downloaded 4.0 License
Return to an Inner Utopia 119 Chapter 4 Return to an Inner Utopia In what was to become a celebrated act in Chinese literary history, Su Shi be- gan systematically composing “matching Tao” (he Tao 和陶) poems in the spring of 1095, during his period of exile in Huizhou. This project of 109 poems was completed when he was further exiled to Danzhou. It was issued in four fascicles, shortly after his return to the mainland in 1100.1 Inspired by and fol- lowing the rhyming patterns of the poetry of Tao Qian, these poems contrib- uted to the making (and remaking) of the images of both poets, as well as a return to simplicity in Chinese lyrical aesthetics.2 Thus far, scholarship has focused on the significance of Su Shi’s agency in Tao Qian’s canonisation. His image was transformed through Su’s criticism and emulation: Tao came to be viewed as a spontaneous Man of the Way and not just an eccentric medieval recluse and hearty drinker.3 In other words, Tao Qian’s ‘spontaneity’ was only created retrospectively in lament over its loss. The unattainability of the ideal is part and parcel of its worth. In this chapter, I will further examine what Su Shi’s practice meant for Su Shi himself. I argue that Su Shi’s active transformation of and identification with Tao Qian’s image were driven by the purpose of overcoming the tyranny of despair, deprivation and mortality. The apparent serenity of the “matching Tao” poems was therefore fundamentally paradoxical, a result of self-persua- sion. -
The Zuo Zhuan Revisited*
《中國文化研究所學報》 Journal of Chinese Studies No. 49 - 2009 REVIEW ARTICLE Rethinking the Origins of Chinese Historiography: The Zuo Zhuan Revisited* Yuri Pines The Hebrew University of Jerusalem The Readability of the Past in Early Chinese Historiography. By Wai-yee Li. Cam- bridge, MA and London, England: Harvard University Asia Center, 2007. Pp. xxii + 449. $49.50/£36.95. The Readability of the Past in Early Chinese Historiography is a most welcome addition to the growing number of Western-language studies on the Zuo zhuan 左傳. Wai-yee Li’s eloquent book is the fruit of impeccable scholarship. It puts forward an abundance of insightful and highly original analyses and fully demonstrates the advantages of the skilful application of literary techniques to early Chinese historiography. This work is sure to become an indispensable tool for any scholar interested in the Zuo zhuan or early Chinese historiography in general. Furthermore, many of Li’s observations are likely to encourage further in-depth research on this foundational text. To illustrate the importance of The Readability of the Past, it is worth high- lighting its position vis-à-vis prior Western-language studies on the Zuo zhuan. Oddly enough, despite its standing as the largest pre-imperial text, despite its canonical status, and despite its position as a fountainhead of Chinese historiography—the Zuo zhuan was virtually neglected by mainstream Occidental Sinology throughout the twentieth century. Notwithstanding the pioneering (and highly controversial) study of Bernhard Karlgren, “On the Authenticity and Nature of the Tso Chuan,” which was published back in 1928, the Zuo zhuan rarely stood at the focus of scholarly endeavour.1 The only Western-language publication dedicated entirely to * This review article was prepared with the support by the Israel Science Foundation (grant No. -
Research Article WILDMEN in MYANMAR
The RELICT HOMINOID INQUIRY 4:53-66 (2015) Research Article WILDMEN IN MYANMAR: A COMPENDIUM OF PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS AND REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE Steven G. Platt1, Thomas R. Rainwater2* 1 Wildlife Conservation Society-Myanmar Program, Office Block C-1, Aye Yeik Mon 1st Street, Hlaing Township, Yangon, Myanmar 2 Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, P.O. Box 596, Georgetown, SC 29442, USA ABSTRACT. In contrast to other countries in Asia, little is known concerning the possible occurrence of undescribed Hominoidea (i.e., wildmen) in Myanmar (Burma). We here present six accounts from Myanmar describing wildmen or their sign published between 1910 and 1972; three of these reports antedate popularization of wildmen (e.g., yeti and sasquatch) in the global media. Most reports emanate from mountainous regions of northern Myanmar (primarily Kachin State) where wildmen appear to inhabit montane forests. Wildman tracks are described as superficially similar to human (Homo sapiens) footprints, and about the same size to almost twice the size of human tracks. Presumptive pressure ridges were described in one set of wildman tracks. Accounts suggest wildmen are bipedal, 120-245 cm in height, and covered in longish pale to orange-red hair with a head-neck ruff. Wildmen are said to utter distinctive vocalizations, emit strong odors, and sometimes behave aggressively towards humans. Published accounts of wildmen in Myanmar are largely based on narratives provided by indigenous informants. We found nothing to indicate informants were attempting to beguile investigators, and consider it unlikely that wildmen might be confused with other large mammals native to the region. -
Millet, Wheat, and Society in North China in the Very Long Term By
Cereals and Societies: Millet, Wheat, and Society in North China in the Very Long Term By Hongzhong He, Joseph Lawson, Martin Bell, and Fuping Hui. Abstract: This paper outlines a very longue durée history of three of North China’s most important cereal crops—broomcorn and foxtail millet, and wheat—to illustrate their place within broader social-environmental formations, to illustrate the various biological and cultural factors that enable the spread of these crops, and the ways in which these crops and the patterns in which they are grown influenced the further development of the societies that grew them. This article aims to demonstrate that a very long-run approach raises new questions and clarifies the significance of particular transitions. It, firstly, charts the transition from broomcorn to foxtail millet cultivation in the late Neolithic; secondly, shows efforts to spread winter wheat often met some degree of resistance from farming communities; thirdly, considers the significance of the different processing requirements of wheat and millet, and their implications for social and economic development; and, fourthly, considers the debate over the spread of multiple-cropping systems to North China. Introduction Scholars have highlighted the importance of crops in comparative studies that seek to explain broad differences in development among various Eurasian societies over long periods of time.1 European crops—oats, barley, wheat, and rye—entailed the proliferation of mills, establishing the monasteries and magnates who owned them, and rudimentary mechanization, at the heart of European society. In contrast, the East Asian rice growing communities invested not in milling-machines, but in skilled labour. -
Virtues and the Interested “Self” in Confucius and Adam Smith
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by London Academic Publishing Ltd.: Arts & Humanities Journals Virtues and the interested “self” in Confucius and Adam Smith Henrique Schneider Nordakademie, University of Applied Sciences Köllner Chaussee 11 25337 Elmshorn, Germany E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: This paper examines to which extent Confucius and Adam Smith can be read as virtue- ethicists. The goal of this paper is to show that, despite all differences, the concept of the “self” performs similarly in Smith and Master Kong. Although Confucius condemns the sole pursuit of self-interests, he still accepts that it is the interested self that cultivates itself and behaves according to the rites. Adam Smith highlights the value of virtues as an orientation for the individuals on how to develop their self-interest without harming others, ideally strengthening society. This paper shows that moral self-cultivation is important to both. In questions of philosophical anthropology and ethics, Master Kong and Adam Smith share many convictions. There are however two specific differences between them: First, each developed a social philosophy against a different social, political, and institutional background. Second, while ritual propriety and political leadership are important for Confucius, in Adam Smith, they are addenda. Nothing differentiates the leader from the “gentleman”. Keywords: Confucius, Adam Smith, virtues, self-interest, roles For Confucius (551-479 BCE; also: Master Kong, Kongzi; 孔子), a petty person, “xiaoren” ( 小人), is “the thief of virtues”, “the root of resentment”, and a “source of evil”. When people pursue (solely) self-interest, they leave the path of moral self-cultivation and virtue. -
Sample Pages
CHAPTER 1 in the Woods The setting sun glowed behind the trees. Rosie stood on the porch. As it got dark, she tried to turn on the light. The bulb was burned out. Then Rosie saw a strange creature. It was 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. “It turned and looked at me while it was walking,” Rosie said. She ran inside and called her dad. “I think I saw a Bigfoot!” 4 5 Mysterious Animal Thousands of people say they have seen a Bigfoot. They describe the beasts as giant, furry animals that walk on two legs. But many other people say Bigfoot is just a story. Another name for a Bigfoot Washington is 620 “Sasquatch.” 520 California BIGFOOT 420 SIGHTINGS Florida Illinois 320 IN THE Ohio Oregon UNITED Texas Michigan 220 STATES Georgia Colorado (as of August 2015) 120 606 428 306 270 257 242 205 201 126 121 6 A GLOBE OF GIANTS People around the world tell YETI stories of ape-like creatures. KALA BANDAR (HIMALAYAS) (INDIA) YEREN BIGFOOT (CHINA) (UNITED STATES) MARICOXI (BRAZIL) ORANG PENDEK (INDONESIA) YOWIE (AUSTRALIA) 8 9 CHAPTER 2 All about In 1958, a logger in California found strange footprints. They were 16 inches (41 centimeters) long. Word of the footprints spread. One reporter called the footprints’ owner “Bigfoot.” In the 1960s and 1970s, more people found giant footprints. And more people said they saw the creatures. People began to search for Bigfoot. 10 11 HOW BIG IS BIGFOOT? OSTRICH 17 FEET BIGFOOT 9 FEET (2.7 M) 16 FEET GIRAFFE 12 FEET (3.7 M) AFRICAN 15 FEET 17 FEET (5.2 M) ELEPHANT 14 FEET 11 FEET (3.4 M) 13 FEET GRIZZLY BEAR 12 FEET 7 FEET (2.1 M) 11 FEET 10 FEET 9 FEET 8 FEET 7 FEET 6 FEET 5 FEET 4 FEET 3 FEET 2 FEET 1 FOOT 14 15 CHAPTER 3 Bigfoot Bigfoot’s Feet Would Be Researchers know of about 3,500 Bigfoot sightings in North America. -
The Concept of Cheng and Confucian Religiosity
THE CONCEPT OF CHENG AND CONFUCIAN RELIGIOSITY Wenyu Xie Abstract: To conceptualize Confucian religiosity is to reveal the ultimate concern contained in the Confucian concept of life. Conceptually, ultimate concern connotes an understanding of the foundation of life, the ultimate goal of life, and the way to it. Based on this perspective, this paper attempts to analyze existentially the concept of cheng (诚), the central concept of the Zhongyong. I will endeavor to demonstrate that cheng expresses a religious feeling that sustains Confucianism. Conceptually, cheng is a disposition of feeling in which one is able to see the Tian- endowed nature, free from internal and external influences. Since the Tian- endowed nature is the foundation of human existence, it is the primary sustaining force for human beings. To be in touch with this force and follow its drive are then the ultimate concern for Confucians. In the Zhongyong, we can read a systematical effort to reveal the fundamental disposition of human existence in terms of cheng, from which a Confucian’s religiosity is nurtured. THIS ESSAY considers a Confucian religiosity framed by the Zhongyong, one of four most significant Confucian books.1 Traditionally this book has been the focus of much interest and scholarship in the past.2 However, the fundamental concept in the Zhongyong, cheng (诚),3 though it has been exerting a tremendous influence on Confucian personality, seems not very attracted to current discussions of Confucian religiousness. 4 Although the increasing interest in Confucian religiousness is an 1Zhu Xi (朱熹 ), a most influent Confucian in Song Dynasty (12th century), selected four books as the frameworks of Confucianism. -
The Analects of Confucius
The Analects of Confucius The most important of the schools of Chinese Philosophy, certainly in terms of its pervasive influence upon Chinese civilization, is the one founded by Confucius (551-479 B.C.). Confucius lived in a time of great political and social unrest, a time when China was divided into a number of warring states each ruled by rulers who ruled by force, and whose subjects lived in a constant state of fear. Confucius devoted his life to moral and social reform, traveling widely throughout China, offering his social and moral teachings to various local rulers. While these ideas were not implemented during his lifetime, they have had a far-reaching impact on subsequent Chinese and Asian culture in general. The primary source for the philosophy of Confucius is the Analects, a collection of sayings assembled by his disciples sometime after his death. The philosophy of the Analects is marked by an absence of metaphysical speculation and a concern, above all, for the correct social and political ordering of human society. Confucian philosophy is also distinguished by its humanism. Confucius' moral system is not based upon transcendent principles or upon a reward and punishment system based upon what happens after death. Instead, Confucius argued that social reform cannot come from above and without but rather from within, from within the human heart. Basically optimistic about human nature, Confucius believed in the perfectibility of the human character. If each person could uncover the virtue within then society would right itself. Confucius, Ink on silk, Ming Dynasty “The Way” Ames and Rosemont: “it is very probably the single most important term in the philosophical lexicon, and in significant measure, to understand what and how a thinker means when he uses dao is to understand that thinker’s Dao philosophy” (45).