General Discussion Forum for the Class

I enjoyed the tuesday (30th) class. there is a lot of work to be done, but am excited about getting started. I know we were running late, but I would have enjoyed more geography. We'll see you soon. The textbooks are great.

The readings for this course are quite informative. Like many of us, I also need to read various interpretations of these Chinese schools of thought to gain a deeper understanding. I found an extremely interesting website discussing the links between ecology and Confucianism and Daoism, containing various resources on these schools of thought. If you're interested in reading up on this, visit http://www.environment.harvard.edu/religion/religion/index.html
Enjoy!!![Edit by="lgarcia on Feb 13, 7:48:52 PM"][/Edit]

I just started reading Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky. The first chapter discusses the role Confucianism, Legalism and Daoism played in governmental decisions about salt. The first chapter is solely about China. I learned that because of salt the Chinese invented elaborate plumbing systems using bamboo piping, developed precision drilling in the mid-eleventh century, developed the first known use of natural gas, and financed the Great Wall.

The lecture on the philosophies was very interesting. It reinforced my feeling that Confucianism is more in line with my way of thinking. I agree with Mencius that people are born good. I wonder, though, about those people whom we all agree are evil. Would Hitler save the teetering toddler?

The most interesting part of this computer exercise is going to the museum section. Truly beautiful objects of art exist there. I hope to learn how to pull one of these up for my "avatar" element with my postings.

Wonder which desert the camel figurine represents. Would it be the Gobi?

The screen with horses is also lovely. It's fun to see where ideas of using panels to create paintings originated and how old such "new" ideas really are.

Can't wait until we get to Asian art in our seminars.[Edit by="tbarber on Feb 13, 7:46:31 PM"][/Edit]

When I was reading and hearing the lecture about the Legalists, all I could think about was how Stalin would have liked the Legalists, especially Han Fei Zi.

Both liked scary, unpredictable leaders.

On p. 43 of the reading, the primary document of Han Fei Zi, states:
"This is the way of the enlightened rule: he causes the wise to bring forth all their schemes, and he decides his affairs accordingly, hence his wisdom is never exhausted. . . . When there are accomplishments, the ruler takes credit for their worth; were there are errors, the minsters are held reponsible for the blame; hence the ruler's name never suffers."

That sure sounds like Stalin and how he was portrayed during his reign of bringing bread to the people, defeating Hitler, etc. PS - Any Legalists out there?[Edit by="jhagan on Feb 13, 7:57:30 PM"][/Edit]

I've found learning about these 4 schools of thought very interesting. I recently transferred from a school of South Los Angeles and I was very morally perplexed over my move. The job was so demanding/stressful that it was negatively impacting my family life. On the other hand, my students were really learning well and I was excited about that. As I was reading about Confucionism vs. Mohism, I felt the two sides somewhat represented my recent moral dilema.