Asst Professor Dr Steven A Martin
Assistant Professor of Asian Studies in Sociology and Anthropology
CONFUCIUS' TEACHINGS AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
Course Description
Chinese philosophy and thoughts of pre-eminent philosophers in the past, including Confucianism, Mencianism, Taoism, and the religious thinking from the core of Confucius’ teaching.
Course Objectives
- To obtain the fundamental concepts of Chinese Philosophy, especially the extensive topics of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
- To determine a broad understanding of the life, values, and legacies of Confucian scholars with emphasis on Confucius, Mencius, and Zhu Xi.
- To gain fundamental insights into classical Chinese philosophy during Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC to 480 BC) and Warring States Period (479 BC to 221 BC), including Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism.
- To gain a scholarly understanding of the development of Chinese thought and philosophy in a comparative context with Western philosophical development. To investigate and present a selected topic to stimulate ideas and approaches to understanding Chinese philosophical thought and tradition.
A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy
Chan, W. (1969). A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Available online at Archive.org
Key chapter reviews by Dr Steven A Martin for discussion in Confucius' Teachings and Chinese Philosophy
- Chapter 2—The Humanism of Confucius
- Chapter 4—Moral and Social Programs: The Great Learning
- Chapter 5—Spiritual Dimensions: The Doctrine of The Mean
- Chapter 8—The Mystical Way of Chuang Tzu
- Chapter 12—Legalism
- Chapter 13—The Philosophy of Change
- Chapter 26—The Zen (Ch’an) School of Sudden Enlightenment
- Chapter 34—The Great Synthesis in Chu Hsi
Special Topic – Chinese Medicine and Philosophy
Chinese Medicine is deeply connected with ancient Yin Yang philosophy and acupuncture
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine is an excellent resource for English language readers interested in this field of study
Foundations Chinese Medicine (Giovanni Maciocia 2015) 1319 pages | 58 MB
Introduction to Chinese Thought in the Eastern Tradition | PDF
Introduction to Chinese Philosophy in the Context of Eastern Asia | PDF
CONFUCIUS (KUNG TZE) Biographical Drama (2010)
2010 Biographical Drama | Confucius (Kung Tze)
CURRENT RESEARCH
Hierarchy and Harmony — Confucius’ Five Cardinal Relationships
Steven A. Martin, PhD
As one of the central pillars in occidental culture, Confucianism has been one of the central philosophies of Eastern Civilization. This paper reviews concepts put forth in Confucius’ Five Cardinal Relationships and discusses the vertical hierarchy and harmony of Confucian doctrine in five short essays: morality in order, nature and order, education and order, power and order and globalization and order. My research aims to discern Confucius’ philosophy of social order in these contexts, offering contemporary criticism and a framework for future discussion.
Please contact me if you are interested in this research or reviewing a draft of my paper.
Thank you for visiting my Chinese Philosophy page.
This course is no longer offered at the university.
Relevant content has been moved to the Eastern Civilization and Silk Road course pages.
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