THINKING ABOUT THINGS:
GREEK AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES

GUEST LECTURE

[old lecture outline]

modes of rationality:
- philosophy versus religion
- human _________ versus divine _________
- love of _________

Confucius [Alt Confucius]
- K'ung fu-tzu 551-479 B.C.E.
- Lun-yu (Analects): What is the right thing to do?
- redefined: gentleman, li, Dao: ________
- Silver Rule
- benevolent government, by __________
Mencius [Alt Mencius]
- Meng-tzu 372-289 B.C.E.
- anecdotal book, Meng-tzu
- goodness:
- government:
- Mandate of Heaven:
Hsun-tzu
- c. 300-235 B.C.E.
- book: Hzun-tzu
- human nature
- government
7 Confucian Propositions
1. universe and humans governed by impersonal, but willful Heaven (t'ien).
2. Heaven wants people happy, orderly, in accord with cosmic harmony (dao).
3. way to do so: ethical and virtuous life.
4. virtue (de) is developed by and in proper conduct (li).
5. in some crises, Heaven's will is hard to know--hard to choose betw conflicting values.
6. need wisdom to choose proper conduct in important matters; wisdom acquired thru study and cultivation of self.
7. individuals and society as a whole can be made better.
Confucian Values
- external: 5 key reciprocal relationships
  - father-son:
  - ruler-subject:
  - brother-brother:
  - husband-wife:
  - friend-friend:
- internal: ethical absolutes
Comparisons
- legalism versus Confucianism:
- Daoism versus Confucianism:
- Confucius meets Lao Tzu

Greek context: polis
human reason
early Greek thinkers
- __________ versus __________
- Thales of Miletus c. 625-540s B.C.E.
- Pythagoras c. 530-510 B.C.E.
- Democritus late 5th cen. B.C.E.
Classical Philosophers
- Sophists:
- Socrates 469-399 B.C.E.: dialectic (Socratic dialogue)
- Plato c. 429-347 B.C.E.:
- Aristotle 384-322 B.C.E.:
Hellenistic Philosophers
- Epicureans
- Stoics
- Cynics
- mystery religions: Orphism
- syncretism

kjolly@hawaii.edu 9/25/01