Session #2 Readings

[Anonymous]

Readings 2-2

[Anonymous]

Readings 2-3

[Anonymous]

Readings 2-4: This part mainly consists of sample lesson plans on the topic of Chinese philosophy.

[Anonymous]

The Laozi and The Zhuangzi are two popular books among Chinese readers. They share the view that unnatural and artificial things are not the way. Both books stress that humans have derailed so to speak. Humans plot, plan, analyze and organize and therefore reject the spontaneity of the cosmic process. I found this Daoist perspective interesting. I agree that humans do seem to have lost their way. They feel as if they have so much control when in truth, they probably have very little.

[Anonymous]

I also found a few legalists perspectives interesting. These two quotes stood out. "The dull cannot even see what has already happened, but the intelligent can see what is yet to sprout. The people should not be consulted in the beginning. But they should join in in enjoying the results." This is not a democratic view point. The second quote that was notable was, "The wise person creates laws while the ignorant are controlled by them."

[Anonymous]

I'm not quite sure how to commentate on all this. The legalism is really blowing my mind so far. I'm using this as a "test" post.

[Anonymous]

There are a few things that stand out to me. Coming from a Christian background and worldview I found many of the doctrines of thought to be similar. For example, honoring one's parents and not speaking against them. It was interesting in the Japanese Shitoku Articles to read about women as former landholders and the laws designed to protect women, even allowing the adopted children of women to inherit land. Some of the quotes I enjoyedConfucianism thought included, "If you do not know the man, observe his friends. If you do not know the lord, observe his attendants. Influence affects everyone." I think about how often I speak about this very idea to my students (and my own children). This is still very relevant today. Finally, the Legalist thought stating that "The relationship between people and officials is not based on love"..using the example that a mother may love her son more than the father, but the father is the one who will be ultimately listened to and commands respect...helps me understand some of the ideas that may be behind the ultimate ruling of people in some East Asian countries. Knowing some of this history is important because I live in a democratic society in a country founded on democratic principals...a young country compared with the history given in our readings that has likely influenced much of the East Asian governments.

[Anonymous]

I was intrigued by Xunzi's view on human nature, which is that "... only after men are transformed by teachers and by ritual and moral principles do they defer, conform to culture, and abide in good order. Viewed this way, it is obvious that human nature is bad and good is a human product.” This view places a great deal of responsibility on schools and teachers, since they are essentially responsible for transforming inherently bad individuals into good and productive member of society. Due to the great responsibility teachers have, I imagine that the work of teachers is highly valued in that society.

[Anonymous]

I can't help to but to hear my parents' voice when I read the readings on the various philosophical thoughts. I was being groomed to be a gentleman but I didn't know it. How dare they plant and manipulated me at such a young age I remember that my parents encouraged me to do my best and to achieve all that I can. They also reminded that success was not just about achieving but about learning. I hope that as a teacher, I do not let me education get in the way of my and my students' learning. I think it was Confucius who stated 'it is alright to want everything, as long as you are content at having nothing'. I'm not sure if that is the right phrasing, but it's one of those things that is stuck in my mind and reading week two's packet reminds me so much of the "boring" lessons that I grew up with. Ironically, my mom was baptized a few years ago and is now a church going Christian. Her religious practice has changed, but not her reminders.

[Anonymous]

In reading the passages from the Laozi I noticed that the first paragraph was full of how opposites are necessary. "The hard and the easy complement each other, the long and the short stand in comparison to one another, the high and the low incline toward each other. sounds and notes harmonize with each other..." This is very true and relate to the Christian view that we must have opposition in all things. In the scriptures it says we cannot have sorrow without happiness, etc... I find this principal very true and have experienced it in my own life.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed this reading, mostly because I teach about three of these philosophies to my sixth graders. Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism are all included in the CA State Standards for H/SS. I've learned a little bit about these philosophies (mostly from our textbook), but this reading allowed me to expand my knowledge and go deeper. I also enjoyed reading about Mohism, as I had never heard of this philosophy before. I'm excited to share this knowledge with my students when we begin our unit on ancient China.

[Anonymous]

Prince Shotoku and his constitution - found this article interesting. Reading the article through American eyes was difficult. Shotoku's intentions of connecting moral and secular laws was a challenge that would never work in the USA. I would be interested in learning how efficient Shotoku was in implementing these laws and how they affected society. Did people allow themselves to be changed by his moral guidance?

I really liked the lesson plan for the Hundred Schools Period. I am going to try and use this in class in the future. I am currently having my World History class do a debate. I find that students have a hard time arguing for a position that they do not already agree with. The Hundred School's lesson is a good lesson to have them buy into a school of thought that they hopefully do not have any previous attachments to.

[Anonymous]

I also enjoyed reading about Daoism and noticed the contradictory forces. I would compare them to yoga. In yoga, we often use contradictory forces of grounding and reaching in a variety of poses. Ivaden compared the Daoism to Chrisitanity and I have have often seen Lao Tzu's writing compared to the book of John.
edited by tlentz on 10/8/2012

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed reading about the different philosophies. The Legalist believed people should be manipulated and ruled by provoking fear in their people. On the other hand, the Confucian teachings believed that a perfect society was one in which everyone, from rulers to commoners, devote themselves to the others, with family coming first. Confucius believed that people were innately good, and should always hold themselves to the highest of moral standards. He once said that if people practice "reverence, generosity, truthfulness, diligence, and kindness", he is a man of humanity. As a elementary teacher, I use the Golden Rule in my classroom, and and I know that it was Confucius that said, "Do unto others what you would not have them do unto you"!

[Anonymous]

As I read the "Seventeen Article Constitution of Prince Shotoku" to prepare for tomorrow's debate, it makes me think of the current political climate today. Not thinking about any politician specifically, but rather politics in general, I feel quite a lot could be learned from this "basic set of principles of government." I feel so much could be accomplished if "Harmony is to be valued, and contentiousness avoided."

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