Chinese History 240r: Readings in Chinese Intellectual History

Course last offered in Spring 2001.

An intensive close reading of selected writings of Lu Xiangshan, Wang Yangming, and Liu Zongzhou in order to understand the language of the “Learning of the Heart-and-Mind” (xinxue) in Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism. Since this school of thought was predicated on the teaching of Mencius and inspired by Zhu Xi’s interpretation of classical Confucian thought, a familiarity with the Book of Mencius and an appreciation of Zhu Xi’ mode of thinking are highly desirable for the course.

The class will be primarily concerned with “group reading” led by the instructor. It begins with a discussion of Lu Xiangshan’s idea of “real learning” (shixue). Having understood the main thrust of Lu’s approach to the Confucian Way, we will study a few passages from Wang Yangming’s Instruction for Practical Living and “Inquiry on the Great Learning.” The course ends with a critical examination of Liu Zongzhou’s Human Record (Renpu), one of the most original contributions to Confucian humanism.

A translation exercise and a term paper are required. Both are due by the end of the examination period.