Lecture04 Confucius Sept 8 Chinese Philosophy Lectures杜兰大学中国哲学课堂教学.ppt

PHIL 2931Chinese Philosophy Confucius (II) Schedule Confucius’ moral philosophy Confucius’ political philosophy Confucius’ Metaphysics Concepts Jen/Ren 仁 Li 禮 Yi 義 Chung/Zhong 忠 and shu 恕 Five Relationships and Cheng Ming: Rectification of Names Li 禮-early stage Ceremony, Rites, Ritual, Propriety, Li can be used to refer to the (rules governing the) religious rites associated with the worship of deities or ancestor veneration that characterized traditional Chinese religion, particularly with regards to those rites performed by the emperor. Li came to denote all of the emperor’s duties as well as a wide range of other rituals, such as marriage, and military and government festivals Li Confucius includes in his discussions of li such diverse topics as learning, tea drinking, titles, mourning, and governance. Li can also be used to refer to common moral prescriptions and “customary law. Li can be used to refer to anything which orders human conduct. Li is what the sage uses to find that which is appropriate; it is both the means which sets the example for others, and the end which maximizes understanding, pleasure, and the greater good. 3:4 Lin Fang asked about the basis of the rites. The Master said, A noble question indeed! With the rites, it is better to err on the side of frugality than on the side of extravagance; in mourning, it is better to err on the side of grief than on the side of formality.‘林放問禮之本。子曰：「大哉問！禮，與齊奢也，寧儉；喪，與其易也，寧戚。」 4:13 The Master said, If a man is able to govern a state by observing the rites and showing deference, what difficulties will he have in public life? If he is unable to govern a state by observing the rites and showing deference, what good are the rites to him?‘ 子曰：「能以禮讓為國乎，何有！不能以禮讓為國，如禮何！」 8:2 The Master said, Unless a man has the spirit of the rites, in being respectful he will wear himself out, in being careful he will become timid, in having courage he will become unruly, and in being forth- right he will become into