Monday, November 7

The major Paper assignment for E374 is now posted; it will be due November 16.

Reading:  Zhuangzi, pp. 49-95

The readings for Monday cover the remaining "Inner Chapters" of the Zhuangzi: "In the World of Men," "The Sign of Virtue Complete,"  "The Great and Venerable Teacher" and "Fit For Emperors and Kings." 

"In the World of Men" & "The Sign of Virtue Complete"

These two chapters collect a number of anecdotes that relate to the theme of value relativity which we first encountered in the Dao de jing, and which pervades the Zhuangzi from its opening tale of the Peng Bird. As you read, ask yourself who the heroes of the Zhuangzi are, and why they are the heroes. And what, after all, if the sign of virtue complete?  In class, one of the key features of these chapters that I'm going to focus on is the emerging theme of timeliness, which represents another form of the link between Zhuangzi and Confucian thought. 

"The Great and Venerable Teacher" & "Fit For Emperors and Kings" 

These two chapters   focus on the themes of the relationship of life and death, and the wisdom and powers of the transcendent Sage. Where, in the end, does the Dao lie for the Zhuangzi, and what, after all, are we readers of the text supposed to go and do? How closely do the ideas and values of these chapters parallel those of the Dao de jing? Where do we find the sharpest breaks with the Confucians? (What does Yan Hui represent for the Zhuangzi, and what similarities and differences does he bear to the Yan Hui of the Analects?)