The Tao of Ethics and Politics: a Radical Reading of Taoist Philosophy
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The Unity of Yin and Yang: a Philosophical Assessment
The Unity of Yin and Yang: A Philosophical Assessment Thaddeus T'ui-chieh Hang National Chengchi University, Taipei "One yin ^ and one yang d, constitute what is called Tao 51"; "When yin and yang are united in their virtue, the soft and the hard attain their physical shape." These famous statements are drawn from the "Appended Remarks" (Hsi-tz'u Slit?) of the / Ching %M.. Since they were uttered more than two thousand years ago, they became the metaphysical foun- dation for the two great philosophical schools of China, namely, Taoism and Confucianism. For both these schools, yin and yang, two contrasting but mutually compensating components constitute unity in harmony. We shall endeavor to give an historical account of this concept, describe it phenomenologically, and venture a philosophical assessment from cos- mological, anthropological, as well as theological points of view. I. An Historical Account The origin of yin-yang ideas must be sought in very ancient times. In the Book of Poetry (Shih-ching I^M?i<) the words "yin" and "yang" signified the north and south sides of a mountain.1 In the Book of Historical Documents (Shu-ching US?) the two words never appeared together ex- cept in the apocryphal "Chou-kuan" /SJ1T. Even in the Analects of Con- fucius there is no mention of yin-yang. However, the eight trigrams were probably in use at the beginning of the Chou )*] dynasty (late 12th cen- tury B.C.). Since the eight trigrams consist of combinations of broken and 'James Legge, The Chinese Classics: Vol. IV, Book of Poetry (Taipei, 1972), Ode 19, p. -
The Taoist Concept of Freedom
Grand Valley Review Volume 9 | Issue 1 Article 15 1-1-1993 The aT oist Concept of Freedom Peimin Ni Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gvr Recommended Citation Ni, Peimin (1993) "The aT oist Concept of Freedom," Grand Valley Review: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 15. Available at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gvr/vol9/iss1/15 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Grand Valley Review by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. desirable alternati' information that wil THE TAOIST CONCEPT OF FREEDOM Naturally, this freedom consists < freedom is to be a Peimin Ni being protected fn protected space ir desires. Freedom has been esteemed as one of the top values for a good life in all civili In the Taoist ph zations, whether in the East or in the West. But not everyone who uses the term real conceives of freed izes the differences in people's understanding of the term. I want to discuss a absence of externc: concept of freedom that belongs to Taoism (sometimes spelled Daoism), one of the that can be in con great classical Chinese philosophies founded in around the sixth century B.C. I will ternal environment first explain the Taoist concept in contrast to the "typical western concept of freedom" desires or will, the - and then give a preliminary evaluation of the Taoist concept based on this contrast. in harmony with his The differences in these concepts of freedom exemplify differences in different This Taoist idea mentalities, and seeing these differences and their implications will give us insight and the constraints into the values and the weaknesses (yes, weaknesses!) of each culture. -
A New Examination of Confucius' Rectification of Names
Journal of chinese humanities � (���6) �47-�7� brill.com/joch A New Examination of Confucius’ Rectification of Names Cao Feng (曹峰) Professor of Philosophy, Renmin University, China [email protected] Translated by Brook Hefright Abstract Confucius’ explanation of the “rectification of names” is not necessarily related to the theories of “social status” and “names and actuality.” The reason scholars have inter- preted the rectification of names in the Analects in so many different ways is, to a large degree, due to assumptions about Confucius’ thinking by his successors, and based on the views on rectification of names among later generations. In the course of the devel- opment of thinking about names, scholars have augmented Confucius’ own explana- tion, gradually fleshing it out from an empty shell into a substantial edifice. The original meaning may have been very simple: Confucius did not wish to establish a standard system of names. Rather, he was simply the first person in history to realize the impor- tance of language in politics. As a politician, Confucius noticed and foresaw the influ- ence that the indeterminacy, ambiguity, and arbitrariness of names could have on politics. He discerned the political consequences when language could not accurately express meaning or when there was no way for people to accurately perceive it. He also recognized how names, as a way of clarifying right and wrong and establishing norms, could have a great effect on a society’s politics. Although Confucius noted that disunity in speech could lead to disunity in politics, he did not propose a solution. -
The Qi Connection: a Study in Studying Qi
University of Northern Iowa UNI ScholarWorks Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006) Honors Program 2004 The Qi connection: A study in studying Qi Elizabeth Brooke Barrett University of Northern Iowa Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright ©2004 - Elizabeth Brooke Barrett Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pst Part of the Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons Recommended Citation Barrett, Elizabeth Brooke, "The Qi connection: A study in studying Qi" (2004). Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006). 17. https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pst/17 This Open Access Presidential Scholars Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006) by an authorized administrator of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Qi Connection: A Study in Studying Qi A Thesis in Completion ofa Presidential Scholarship By Elizabeth Brooke Barrett Thesis Advisor: Dr. Robert Seager Professor of Genetics and Evolution, Department of Biology University of Northern Iowa Presidential Scholar Class Advisor: Dr. Betty DeBerg Head, Department of Philosophy and Religion University of Northern Iowa ,, The concept of Qi (pronounced "chee") is a difficult one to understand, let alone study. It strikes most of us as amorphous at best. Traditional Chinese Medicine enthusiasts in the West translate the term as "life-energy". How much more broad could it be! Some try to make the term scientific, referring to Qi as "bio-electrical" or "bio-magnetic", but they succeed only in clouding the issue further. -
Chinese Philosophy
CHINESE PHILOSOPHY Vatican Relations: Problems of Conflicting Authority, 1976–1986 EARLY HISTORY (Cambridge 1992). J. LEUNG, Wenhua Jidutu: Xianxiang yu lunz- heng (Cultural Christian: Phenomenon and Argument) (Hong Shang Dynasty (c.1600–c.1045 B.C.). Chinese Kong 1997). K. C. LIU, ed. American Missionaries in China: Papers philosophical thought took definite shape during the reign from Harvard Seminars (Cambridge 1966). Lutheran World Feder- of the Shang dynasty in Bronze Age China. During this ation/Pro Mundi Vita. Christianity and the New China (South Pasa- period, the primeval forms of ancestor veneration in Neo- dena 1976). L. T. LYALL, New Spring in China? (London 1979). J. G. LUTZ, ed. Christian Missions in China: Evangelist of What? lithic Chinese cultures had evolved to relatively sophisti- (Boston 1965). D. E. MACINNIS, Religion in China Today: Policy cated rituals that the Shang ruling house offered to their and Practice (Maryknoll, NY 1989). D. MACINNIS and X. A. ZHENG, ancestors and to Shangdi, the supreme deity who was a Religion under Socialism in China (Armonk, NY 1991). R. MAD- deified ancestor and progenitor of the Shang ruling fami- SEN, China Catholics: Tragedy and Hope in an Emerging Civil So- ciety (Berkeley 1998). R. MALEK and M. PLATE Chinas Katholiken ly. A class of shamans emerged, tasked with divination suchen neue (Freiburg 1987). Missiones Catholicae cura S. Con- and astrology using oracle bones for the benefit of the rul- gregationis de Propaganda Fide descriptae statistica (Rome 1901, ing class. Archaeological excavations have uncovered 1907, 1922, 1927). J. METZLER, ed. Sacrae Congregationis de Pro- elaborate bronze sacrificial vessels and other parapherna- paganda Fide Memoria Rerum, 1622–1972 (Rome 1976). -
Feng Youlan's Interpretation of Western Philosophy
ASIANetwork Exchange | Fall 2014 | volume 22 | 1 Feng Youlan’s Interpretation of Western Philosophy: A Critical Examination from the Perspective of Metaphysical Methodology Derong Chen Abstract: This paper concentrates on Feng’s interpretation of Western philosophy from the perspective of metaphysical methodology and aims to display a limited observation of Feng’s interpretation of Western philosophy through the window of metaphysical methodology. Based on a brief review of the recent studies of Feng Youlan and Western philoso- phy, this paper analyzes the progress and insufficient aspects in current studies on this issue and particularly clarifies what are the metaphysics and metaphysical methods in the context of Feng Youlan’s philosophy. In clarifying Feng’s interpreta- tion of Western philosophy from the perspective of methodology, this paper further critically analyzes Feng’s positive metaphysical methods and negative metaphysical methods, and assumes that Feng’s negative metaphysical methods essentially is a kind of attitude towards metaphysics but neither a kind of metaphysics nor a kind of metaphysical methods. Instead of characterizing metaphysical methods as positive and negative as Feng did, this paper suggests an alternative division of metaphysical methods: direct and indirect methods of dealing with metaphysical issues. Keywords Feng Youlan; metaphysics; metaphysical methods; Western philosophy; negative metaphysics In the twentieth century, Feng Youlan was one of the Chinese intellectuals most deeply Derong Chen is a Sessional involved in the dialogue and interaction between Chinese and Western philosophies. In Lecturer II at the University of addition to studying Western philosophy at Columbia University, he systematically con- Toronto Mississauga. ducted research on Western philosophy, specifically the philosophy of life. -
List 3. Headings That Need to Be Changed from the Machine- Converted Form
LIST 3. HEADINGS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED FROM THE MACHINE- CONVERTED FORM The data dictionary for the machine conversion of subject headings was prepared in summer 2000 based on the systematic romanization of Wade-Giles terms in existing subject headings identified as eligible for conversion before detailed examination of the headings could take place. When investigation of each heading was subsequently undertaken, it was discovered that some headings needed to be revised to forms that differed from the forms that had been given in the data dictionary. This occurred most frequently when older headings no longer conformed to current policy, or in the case of geographic headings, when conflicts were discovered using current geographic reference sources, for example, the listing of more than one river or mountain by the same name in China. Approximately 14% of the subject headings in the pinyin conversion project were revised differently than their machine- converted forms. To aid in bibliographic file maintenance, the following list of those headings is provided. In subject authority records for the revised headings, Used For references (4XX) coded Anne@ in the $w control subfield for earlier form of heading have been supplied for the data dictionary forms as well as the original forms of the headings. For example, when you see: Chien yao ware/ converted to Jian yao ware/ needs to be manually changed to Jian ware It means: The subject heading Chien yao ware was converted to Jian yao ware by the conversion program; however, that heading now -
Introduction: Five Trends in Confucian Studies
1 INTRODUCTION: FIVE TRENDS IN CONFUCIAN STUDIES John Zijiang Ding For over a decade, Confucian studies have gone through several evolutions and developments. From 2010 to today, this area has delivered a number of the fine scholars. This special issue of JET will examine the works of those Confucian scholars who have advanced significantly in the last few years in certain genres, and also share our thoughts on where certain tendencies are heading in the near future. For this purpose, we will analyze and compare five current trends in Confucian studies: global-contextualism, Asian-modernism, Asian-Americanism，multi-comparativism, and classical-textualism. We will offer an overview of these five trends revealing how each of them comprise a significant movement in Confucian studies. In addressing each, we will provide certain theoretical critiques and the responses to those critiques. The main thrust of this issue is to examine the similarities and differences among (between) those scholarly inquiries as well as to justify those research programs which are debatable, controversial and even confusing. I. Confucian Studies Based on Global-Contextualism Generally, contextualism means that any system of claims, values, and activities cannot be understood outside of the real cultural context in which they occur. For many scholars, to understand the philosophical background of contextualism is very helpful in exploring the real meanings of these crucial concepts in Confucianism. A modern practice of classical Confucianism requires a contextualist interpretation of the world. As virtue, consequent or normative ethics, Confucianism should be contextualized, globalized, and developed as the modern way of thinking emphasizing rationality and practice over traditional considerations. -
The Old Master
INTRODUCTION Four main characteristics distinguish this book from other translations of Laozi. First, the base of my translation is the oldest existing edition of Laozi. It was excavated in 1973 from a tomb located in Mawangdui, the city of Changsha, Hunan Province of China, and is usually referred to as Text A of the Mawangdui Laozi because it is the older of the two texts of Laozi unearthed from it.1 Two facts prove that the text was written before 202 bce, when the first emperor of the Han dynasty began to rule over the entire China: it does not follow the naming taboo of the Han dynasty;2 its handwriting style is close to the seal script that was prevalent in the Qin dynasty (221–206 bce). Second, I have incorporated the recent archaeological discovery of Laozi-related documents, disentombed in 1993 in Jishan District’s tomb complex in the village of Guodian, near the city of Jingmen, Hubei Province of China. These documents include three bundles of bamboo slips written in the Chu script and contain passages related to the extant Laozi.3 Third, I have made extensive use of old commentaries on Laozi to provide the most comprehensive interpretations possible of each passage. Finally, I have examined myriad Chinese classic texts that are closely associated with the formation of Laozi, such as Zhuangzi, Lüshi Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of Mr. Lü), Han Feizi, and Huainanzi, to understand the intellectual and historical context of Laozi’s ideas. In addition to these characteristics, this book introduces several new interpretations of Laozi. -
Postmodernism and Classical Chinese Philosophy
Cultural and Religious Studies, March 2016, Vol. 4, No. 3, 194-203 doi: 10.17265/2328-2177/2016.03.005 D DAVID PUBLISHING Postmodernism and Classical Chinese Philosophy Yong-Kang Wei University of Texas (RGV), Texas, USA While over two thousand years apart, Western postmodernism and ancient Chinese philosophy share some extraordinary similarities, especially epistemology wise. For example, they both recognize the role of language in constructing, and limiting, knowledge and reality. This is because thinkers of different cultures and geographical regions, and of different historical periods, can possibly come up with similar philosophical conclusions when addressing what is commonly known as the “human condition”. The paper will discuss, in general terms, some of the philosophical similarities between postmodernism and classical Chinese philosophy; it will also take a close look at three concepts in Chinese philosophy that register strong affinity with Western postmodernism: namely, change, dialectic, and relativism. Keywords: postmodernism, modernism, classical Chinese philosophy Introduction Postmodernism, as a philosophical concept, was first introduced in China by Fredric R. Jameson in 1985, when he was lecturing on “postmodernism” and “cultural theory” at Peking University (Wang, 2008). So readers may immediately sense a chronological incongruity between postmodernism and classical Chinese philosophy. However, it is quite possible, I would argue, that thinkers of different cultures and geographical regions, and of different historical periods, can come up with similar conclusions when addressing what is commonly known as the “human condition”. For example, Confucius’ “己所不欲，勿施于人” (Don’t do things to others that you don’t want done to yourself) is echoed, almost identically, in the Christian Bible, and Protagoras’ (490-420 B.C.) paradox rings very similar to the “two-argument” theory (两可论) of Deng Xi1 (邓 析, 545-501 B.C.), a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period. -
Guoxue): Six Perspectives and Six Definitions
China Perspectives 2011/1 | 2011 The National Learning Revival National Learning (Guoxue): Six Perspectives and Six Definitions Liu Dong Translator: Guannan Li Electronic version URL: http://journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/5380 DOI: 10.4000/chinaperspectives.5380 ISSN: 1996-4617 Publisher Centre d'étude français sur la Chine contemporaine Printed version Date of publication: 1 January 2011 Number of pages: 46-54 ISSN: 2070-3449 Electronic reference Liu Dong, « National Learning (Guoxue): Six Perspectives and Six Definitions », China Perspectives [Online], 2011/1 | 2011, Online since 30 March 2014, connection on 28 October 2019. URL : http:// journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/5380 ; DOI : 10.4000/chinaperspectives.5380 © All rights reserved China perspectives Special feature National Learning (Guoxue): Six Perspectives and Six Definitions LIU DONG* Guoxue deserves “such popularity” vious “fever” trends, this cultural movement was not promoted from the top down, but from the bottom up. The public has pressed cultural de - Let us first review how guoxue has “occurred” by citing an observation mands for guoxue . This is the key characteristics of the new guoxue trend. from a scholar who lives outside of China. Although Dirlik’s view on the relationship between Confucianism and the economic rise of Asia is not well-balanced, he keenly captures the question The concept of “ guoxue ,” which ceased to draw attention for more of how the rise in the market was closely associated with the deployment than four decades, was resuscitated almost overnight in mainland of Confucian doctrines as a means of making profit. Indeed, in China, from China in the so-called “ guoxue fever” of the 1990s… A variety of fo - universities to the Temple of Confucius, from book stores to private rums appeared on TV; several prestigious universities established schools, from book writing to academic lectures, all are contaminated by guoxue training classes in order to nourish “spiritual resources” money. -
Lao Tzu and Francis Libermann on Living the Mystery Binh the Quach C.S.Sp
Spiritan Horizons Volume 2 | Issue 2 Article 9 Fall 2007 Lao Tzu and Francis Libermann on Living the Mystery Binh The Quach C.S.Sp. Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/spiritan-horizons Part of the Catholic Studies Commons Recommended Citation Quach, B. T. (2007). Lao Tzu and Francis Libermann on Living the Mystery. Spiritan Horizons, 2 (2). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/spiritan-horizons/vol2/iss2/9 This Wellsprings is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Spiritan Horizons by an authorized editor of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. Horizons Lao Tzu and Francis Libermann on Living The Mystery MY sticism Binh The Quach, Contemporary uses of the term ‘mysticism’ include the whole C.S.Sp. gamut of experiences, teachings, techniques, lifestyles, etc., of A native of Vietnam and ‘mystics.’ One of the clearest definitions of ‘mysticism’ is that of currently serving as a missionary William Johnston. He defines it as the “wisdom or knowledge that in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Binh The is found through love; it is loving knowledge.” 1 He further asserts, Quach is a Spiritan from the “Mysticism is the core of authentic religious experience.” 2 This loving USA Western Province. He knowledge is efficacious because it leads to the transformation of holds M.A. and M.Div. degrees the individual. With this understanding of mystical theology in Biblical Studies from the Pontifical College Josephinum, as transforming mystical experience, we can eliminate those Columbus, Ohio, and a Ph.D. contemporary usages that equate mystical theology with mere in the Philosophy of World doctrines and theories of mystical experience, ignoring its Religions from the Graduate transforming effect.