80-263 Approaching Chinese Philosophy: Basic Texts and Implications

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course focuses on ancient texts of Chinese philosophy, which have had a foundational role in Chinese society and culture. We will look at original texts from the Chinese classics, including the I Ching Book of Changes and the Tao Te Ching basic treatise on Taoism. We will consider the role and place of science and explanation in Chinese society. We will also discuss the difficulty of translation from one language to another or from the writings of one era into another. The course will seek to connect the ancient literature and practice with modern perspectives on science, metaphysics, mindbody dualism, and causation. We will take the ancient texts in their original form as points of departure for our exploration. No prior knowledge of the Chinese language is assumed. The course is relevant for cultural and language studies, as well as studies in history and philosophy of science.

Prerequisites: none listed

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