PHIL 3141 Neo-Daoist

Course Outline

Time: Lecture: Wednesday, 11:30-13:15 Location: LSK 308 Tutorial: Wednesday, 13:30-14:15 Location: LSK 308

Course Overview

This course examines the third developmental phase of Daoist philosophy, that of Neo-Daoism (the first two pre-Qin 先秦 and Huang-Lao 黃老). Known also as Wei-Jin 魏晉玄學—or simply Xuanxue (Profound or Dark Learning, Studying the Mysterious)—Neo-Daoism symbolizes a renewed interest in Daoist philosophy (as opposed to the more religiously focused Daoism of the Han) and as such, its followers turned to three core texts known as the Three Mysteries or sanxuan 三玄: the Yijing, Daodejing, and . Early Neo-Daoists such as 何晏 and 王弼 sought to illuminate Dao through their “Treatise on Treasuring Nothingness” (guiwu lun 貴無論) while 裴頠 argued for the priority of Being with his “Treatise on Elevating Being” (chongyou lun 崇有論). Although these men wrote on , , and self-cultivation, by the time of the , Neo-Daoism came to include an eclectic group of intellectuals known as the Seven Immortals of the Grove (Zhulin Qixian 竹林七賢). These men wrote texts on topics such as music, , and physical refinement and it was only towards the end of the Jin that Xuanxue returned to its roots with the likes of 郭象 and Ge Hong 葛洪. Through a close reading of these primary texts, we explore the concepts and arguments of Neo-Daoism, paying special attention to their differences from pre-Qin thinkers, while also uncovering the lasting effects of their philosophy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Become familiar with key philosophical concepts, arguments, and movements. 2. Develop your skill in reading philosophical texts. 3. Develop your critical thinking skills by discussing lecture materials in tutorials. 4. Learn how to research and write philosophical papers. 5. Come to realize that there is more to Daoism than Dao and wuwei (non-action).

Topics

1. Course Introduction; Review of pre-Qin Daoism 2. He Yan, Wang Bi, and Pei Wei 3. Kang and Ji 4. and Guo Xiang 5. Ge Hong

Learning Activities

You are expected to carryout the following duties: 1. Read and give thought to the assigned readings 2. Develop the skills mentioned above in the Learning Outcomes 3. Attend class lectures and tutorials and contribute to the discussion at hand

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Assessment Scheme

Task Description Weight

Weekly Reflection Papers 2-page long Meditative Essay 20%

Short Research Paper 8-page long Research Essay 30%

Long Research Paper 15-page long Research Essay 50%

Notes: 1. Reflection Papers: These are weekly writing assignments in which you are asked to think about and express your thoughts on the previous week’s lecture. Summarizing the lecture slides is not acceptable; write about the points from lecture that interested you, differed from your expectations/, or were challenging to comprehend. Only ten papers are required to be submitted and each is worth 2 marks. 2. Research Papers: As these are formal research essays, you are required to formulate a thesis argument and use the materials you have collected to support your claim. Footnotes are the preferred method of citation and a complete bibliography is required at the end of each paper. There are many resources on campus to assist in your research but if at any time you find yourself in need of help, speak with your Professor. The topics on which you can write these papers are open but try to strike a balance between your use of English and Chinese materials. Late submissions will be penalized 5% per day.

Learning Resources

Required Texts: 1. Chan, Alan K.L. and Lo, Yuet-Keung, Eds. Philosophy and Religion in Early Medieval China. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2010.

Supplemental Texts (will be available on Blackboard): 1. Chai, David. “Musical in the Thought of ” Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy, 8.2 (June 2009): 151-171. 2. Chai, David. “Meontology in Early Xuanxue Thought” Journal of , 37.1 (March 2010): 90-101. 3. Criddle, Reed. “Rectifying Lasciviousness through Mystical Learning: An Exposition and Translation of ’s ‘Essay in Music’” Asian Music, 38.2 (Summer-Autumn 2007): 44-70. 4. Henricks, Robert, Trans. Philosophy and Argumentation in Third-Century China: The Essays of Hsi K’ang. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983. 5. Liu, Xiaogan. “Transition and Articulation between Two Orientations: An Experimental Analysis of a New Interpretation of ” Contemporary Chinese Thought, 40.2 (Winter 2008): 67-88. 6. Puett, Michael. “Humans, Spirits, and Sages in Chinese Late Antiquity: Ge Hong’s “Master Who Embraces Simplicity ()”” Extreme-Orient Extreme-Occident, 29 (2007): 95-119. 7. Wagner, Rudolf. Language, Ontology, and in China: Wang Bi’s Scholarly Exploration of the Dark (Xuanxue). Albany: SUNY Press, 2003. 8. Zhang, Ji. One and Many: A Comparative Study of Plato’s Philosophy and Daoism Represented by Ge Hong. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2012. 9. Ziporyn, Brook. The Penumbra Unbound: The Neo-Daoist Philosophy of Guo Xiang. Albany: SUNY Press, 2003. 10. Various original Chinese texts.

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Feedback for Evaluation

1. You are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on the course via email or meetings with the Professor. 2. Midway through the term, you will also be asked to provide feedback via a brief questionnaire on the course. 3. As with all courses in the Philosophy Department, you will evaluate the course through a survey and written comments at the end of the semester and by regular feedback you give to your Professor. This information is highly valued and is used to revise teaching methods, tasks and content.

Course Schedule

Week Lecture Topic Assigned Readings Tutorials Remarks 1 Course Introduction; Chan, 1-22; Chai (2010) All tutorials will discuss (Sept 3) What is Xuanxue? the assigned readings

2 He Yan Chan, 23-52; He Yan (Sept 10) (Chinese text) 3 Wang Bi, part 1: Dao, Chan, 53-70; Wagner, ch. 2 (Sept 17) Xuan, and the One

4 Wang Bi, part 2: Nature Chan, 71-96; Liu (Sept 24) 5 Pei Wei Pei Wei (Chinese text) (Oct 1) 6 Ji Kang, part 1: Music Chan, 135-172; Henricks, 71- Short Research (Oct 8) 106; Chai (2009) Paper due in Class 7 Chinese New Year (no class) (Oct 15)

8 Ji Kang, part 2: Henricks, 21-70 (Oct 22) Nourishing Life 9 Ruan Ji, part 1: Music Chan, 291-318; Criddle (Oct 29)

10 Ruan Ji, part 2: On Ruan Ji (Chinese texts): tong (Nov 5) and Zhuangzi Lao lun; da Zhuang lun

11 Guo Xiang, part 1: Chan, 97-134; Ziporyn, 3-64 (Nov 12) Nature and Trace

12 Guo Xiang, part 2: Ziporyn, 99-124 (Nov 19) Lone Transformation 13 Ge Hong, part 1: Xuan Zhang, 1-32 (Nov 26) Dao 14 Ge Hong, part 2: the Zhang, 53-79; Puett Long Research (Dec 3) One Paper due in Class

* The above schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Details of Course Website

3 Relevant announcements and course documents will be posted on Blackboard.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/

With each assignment, students will be required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures. Your research paper must be submitted via VeriGuide, which will then issue you a receipt. This receipt must be submitted together with the printed copy of your assignment or it will not be graded. Only submit the final version of your paper to VeriGuide.

Contact Details

Professor

Name: CHAI, David

Office location: Room 422, Fung King Hey Building

Email: [email protected]

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