By: Li Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawaii West Oahu. On Confucianism and Daoism: A Cultural Introduction

Transcription

1 By: Li Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawaii West Oahu On Confucianism and Daoism: A Cultural Introduction July 1 st, 2014 East west Center, Honolulu, HI

2 I. Introduction to Comparative Philosophy a.) What is philosophy? b.) Why study non western philosophy? c.) The quest of multiculturalism, globalization, and a democratic future Population shift in the US and Europe in 2050: projections / /Changing face Britain By 2050 UK overtake United States ethnically diverse Western nation.html

3 d.) Why Chinese philosophy? Quantifiable utility: China s rising political & economic power Noble dream of liberal arts education : Caged in vs. Free ranged Colonialism and Conceptual Alternative: Colonial territory by _empires_colonies_territory.PNG

4 II. Confucianism a.) Why Confucianism? Three Teachings: Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism (political/moral, social and religious) State Orthodox teaching 2 nd BCE to 1911 (from Han to Qing dynasty) Overview of Chinese Dynastic History: eline.htm Confucian renaissance in China and beyond

5 b.) What is Confucianism? Enigma of Confucianism or the Philosophy of Confucius : Jesuit s invention Chinese Rites Controversy & Missionary history 16 th 18 th Century First Jesuit portrait of Confucius in Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Paris, 1687): a genteel, civilized scholar Contrast with the 1901 portrait of the China man in The Miracle Teapot a Russian cartoon: a barbaric yellow Orient content/uploads/2011/09/i2the Miracle Teapot.png The Politics of Representation: from white to yellow, rational to superstitious, Ru to Confucianism

6 Complexity of Ru: Origin and Ambiguity What does Ru mean? Confucian before Confucius First Occurrence of Ru in The Analects 6.13 (junziru vs. xiaorenru) Confucius as a transmitter of Dao, wisdom of past sage kings, ritual of Zhou dynasty Five Classics (Shujing, Shijing, Yijing, Liji and Lushi Chunqiu) Four Books: Lunyu, Mengzi, Daxue and Zhongyong)

7 c.) Who is Confucius/Kongzi? ( BCE.) Cultural narrative of an Icon Extraordinary birth and physicality Compiler of four out of Five Classics Teacher of China: Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony Beijing 2008 opening ceremony The Analects & Confucius.pdf Kongzi and Mengzi: Latinized names Confucius and Mencius Confucius Temple and cult of Confucius: Node=27687&mp=100002

8 Confucius as a man Son of a concubine Two daughters and one son Limited political accomplishment in his home state of Lu Left the family to travel around different states for a decade to spread his teaching with no success Favorite disciple, Yen Hui, died at 41. Confucius died at 72 without knowing his teaching has made a tremendous impact in the world of Asia.

9 d.) Is Confucianism a religion or philosophy? Virginia standardized test question: Is Confucianism a: a) religion; b) philosophy; c) cult; d) sociology. Jesuit Accommodation Policy (16 18 th century): Confucianism more of a pagan philosophy compatible with Christianity or a natural religion anticipating the coming of Christianity, a revealed religion Two prominent Jesuits: Father M. Ricci ( ) and Father G. Aleni ( ) as Ru shqqcxqfkgc/tgi5ps_vy3i/aaaaaaaaap8/gpwoaaoo4yw /s1600/aleni.jpg

10 19 th C. onward with the expansion of Western Colonial power: Confucianism is seen more as a religion due to its concepts of tian, dao and li as well as its fragmented texts. Survey of Colleges in the West: Confucianism is taught mostly in Asian Studies or Religion. By contrast, in the East: Confucianism is decisively a moral philosophy. Confucian religiosity: moral perfection as a spiritual quest.

11 e.) Key concepts Five Social Relations (father son; ruler minister; husband wife; olderyounger; friends) Xiao, the beginning of humanity elderly law/ Ren as the Highest Excellence (wisdom of love/benevolence) Reciprocity (shu: Don t impose on others what you don t want) Concentric Circles of Concerns (self/family/community/state/world) Junzi as the Ideal, Moral Leader Tian and human are one (tian ren he yi)

12 f.) Confucianism and its contemporary applications: Is Confucianism sexist? A Confucian feminism? The Politics of Feminism vs. An Inclusive Future Is Confucianism compatible with democracy? Principle of equality vs. Meritocracy Is Confucianism a rational theology? Confucius s Tian vs. Kant s Kingdom of Ends

13 III. Daoism a.) Historical Origins : Laozi (6 th BCE) & Daodejing ( BCE) Yellow Emperor of Xia ( BCE) b.) Philosophical Dao Vs. Religious Dao: Philosophical Dao: Daodejing and Zhuangzi ( BCE) Religious Dao: Daodejing, and exoteric texts of alchemy and meditations c.) Popularity of Daoism: West: Textual studies of Philosophical Dao & New age spirituality, environmental conservation, alternative medicine, and pop culture. The Tao of Steve (Sony 2000) East: Religious Dao mainly after Han dynasty Baoan Daoist temple in Taipei, Taiwan: Buddhist Fo Guang Shan temple in Kaohsiung, Taiwan:

14 c.) Unique Religiosity of Daoism: Longevity, prosperity, and happiness are three highest goods Bodily well being and immortality as a spiritual quest. Eight Immortals /04/eight immortals2.jpg Women and Priesthood: Sun Buer ( ) & seven sages 5/52/Changchun Temple Master and disciplespainting 0316.jpg

15 d.) Impact of Daoism: Science: practical knowledge of nature Medicine: healthy balance of the body Environmental Conservation: simplified life style living in and with nature Military Strategy: resolving conflicts before they take hold; minimal effort with maximal efficacy Bedchamber Manual: sexuality as part of a healthy living Alchemy: transformation of things; miracle without divine intervention Mysticism: Dao is incommunicable; Dao is one and everlasting 20 th century philosophical movements: postmodernism

16 e.) Key Concepts Dao & De: Field and focus Daodejing as Making this Life Significant Yin/Yang Harmony & Equilibrium: co creativity Wu forms (Wu wei, Wu zhi, Wu yu): non coercive acting, non principled knowing, non possessive desiring; spontaneity and productive ambiguity Zhenren & Transformation of Things: one with the everlasting Dao

17 f.) Discussion: In what sense should Daoism be considered a religion instead of a study of individual well being found in the self help section? In what sense should the Daoist practice of alchemy a form of miracle without divine intervention be considered spiritual/religious? Can one be a Daoist and a Christian, Muslim, Jew, or Buddhist? In other words, is the Daoist s love affairs with this physical body and this physical world compatible with other religions devotion to the other worldly? Given the modern obsession with immortality/singularity with the help of technology, are we all Daoists now?