PHI 221 - Classical Chinese Philosophy

This course provides an introduction to major philosophical schools in the “classical” period of (pre-Qin) China, including Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, and Legalism. We will concentrate on early debates over human nature and the best practices of self-cultivation, the general nature of the cosmos and the human role in it, and the proper ordering of society. We will read not only the original texts by early Chinese philosophers, but also contemporary discussions and developments of their views. These different philosophical positions greatly influenced later Chinese intellectual and social history, including the development of Buddhism, and shaped cultures and religions in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia as well. Thus, understanding these early debates is an important stepping-stone for understanding East Asian thought and culture generally.

General Education Requirements: Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Ethics

Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing or Permission

Course Typically Offered: Alternating years

Credits: 3