Introduction and Analects Assignments

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September 5

[No Reading]

• Administrivia.
• Some history: Zhou (Jou) Background; Timeline.
• Some methodology: Romanization; Interpretation and Reasoning; Term List.

September 10

[Reading: Original Analects, Introduction (pp 1-11), Books 4 (complete), 5 (skim), 6 (skim), 7 (complete), 9 (complete)]

• Textual methodology
  • What kinds of things might be evidence that a text has come together through a process of accretion? Do you know of any texts in other traditions that are accretional?
  • If we knew that a text was accretional, what differences might that make to our interpretation of it?
• Rvn. The Analects has a lot to say about both the process of becoming rvn and the state of being rvn.
  • How do desires or passion fit in? Are they important, or a hindrance?
  • Distinguish commitment from desire. Is one more important than the other for becoming rvn?
  • What do you think the best translation of "rvn" into English is? How closely is rvn connected to a particular moment in Warring States culture and politics? In these early books of the text, do you see rvn as having any universal significance?
  • What is wrong with the "small man" and his notion of "profit" or "benefit"?
  • More generally, what reasons do you see the text offering for why one ought to strive for rvn?

September 12

[Reading: Books 10 (complete, including--as for all subsequent books--the interpolations assigned to this date), 11 (esp. 11:10 and *9:1), and 3 (complete). See also 12:1]

• Li (rites, ritual).
  • What function or ends would the kind of behavior that is described, especially in Book 10, serve?
  • To what degree do you gather Analects Confucians were committed to the details of the rituals depicted? Or might something else be the point of recording these passages?
  • 3:4 talks about "the basis of ritual." What is this basis?
  • Compare 9:3 (note that "customary" here translates "li," or "ritual") and 3:17-18. Is there a consistent doctrine here?
• Tradition
  • In light of 2:11 and 2:23, among other passages, how do you now evaluate the role of tradition in Analects Confucianism? Have things changed since 7:1 and 7:28?
  • What do 13:18 and 13:19 suggest about the general applicability of the Li?

September 17

[Reading: Books 12, 13, and 2 (all complete)]

• Authority, opposition to law and punishments, politics.
  • Why did Confucians prefer leading by example to ruling via rewards and punishments?
  • Why would it be a problem if "the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame"? (See 2:3)
  • How are we to understand passages that make the gentleman's power seem magical, like 2:1, 12:19, and *9:14? What is the role of the state supposed to be, according to Analects Confucians at this date?
• Mini-paper 1 assigned, due in class on September 19.