REL 3620 - Seminar in Classical Chinese Religious Thought

Goals: To study in depth the most significant thinkers and texts of the classical period in China (6th-2nd century BCE), one of the liveliest and most important periods of philosophical debate in Chinese history. The schools of thought that emerged during this period had a profound effect on Chinese philosophy, religion, culture and politics that continues to the present day.

Content: We will focus primarily on the Confucian and Daoist traditions, although we will also look at the Mohist and Legalist traditions. While we will be thinking about these texts and philosophers, we will also be thinking along with them about the topics that concerned them. These are some of the most important topics that we as human beings must grapple with: What is human nature? What is a good person and how does an individual become one? How do we gain knowledge and how do we know when we have it (and what kind of knowledge is worth gaining)? What is a good death? We will see how the classical Chinese thinkers answered these questions and then look at how modern philosophers in the West have tried to understand, analyze and evaluate their positions. We will alternate between reading primary texts and reading secondary texts that interpret and critique the primary texts.

Taught: Alternate years.

Recommended: Previous religion course.

Credits: 4 credits