Chinese Philosophy: Tao, Mind, and Human Nature

The nature of human nature, the proper functioning of the mind, and the relationship of both to the Tao are central preoccupations of Chinese philosophy. In the first semester, we will explore these concerns through a careful reading of the foundational texts from the early Taoist and Confucian traditions. In the second semester, we will look at the ways in which later Neo-Taoist and Neo-Confucian philosophers reevaluated the classics and created metaphysical systems to ground their understanding of perfectibility of all people. Our goals are twofold: First, we will pay close attention to each philosopher’s conceptions of the mind, emotions, human nature, thought, and knowledge. Second, we will examine the unfolding of the debates among the philosophers concerning the manner in which these conceptions relate to the Tao and shape the individual’s practice of self-cultivation. Philosophers and texts will include: Confucius, Lao-tzu, Mencius, Chuang-tzu, Hsun-tzu, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Kuo Hsiang, and Chu Hsi.