CHNS6661A-L24
The Quest for Spontaneity
The Quest for Spontaneity in Ancient Chinese Thought
This course examines a fascinating issue that attracts the attention of all the major Chinese thinkers in ancient times, that is, the freedom of acting without calculation or conscious effort—a state of being that can be best summarized as ziran 自然 (self-so) in Chinese, or “spontaneity” in English. Through close readings of selected passages from the original texts by such big names as Confucius, Mencius, Mozi, Xunzi, Liezi, and especially Laozi and Zhuangzi, students will learn to detect and analyze the differences—and similarities, if any—between the varied understandings and interpretations of this “spontaneity” from the perspectives of different schools of thought.
This course examines a fascinating issue that attracts the attention of all the major Chinese thinkers in ancient times, that is, the freedom of acting without calculation or conscious effort—a state of being that can be best summarized as ziran 自然 (self-so) in Chinese, or “spontaneity” in English. Through close readings of selected passages from the original texts by such big names as Confucius, Mencius, Mozi, Xunzi, Liezi, and especially Laozi and Zhuangzi, students will learn to detect and analyze the differences—and similarities, if any—between the varied understandings and interpretations of this “spontaneity” from the perspectives of different schools of thought.
- Term:
- Summer 2024 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session
- Location:
- Ross Commons Dining 011(RCD 011)
- Schedule:
- 5:00pm-6:10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Jul 4, 2024 to Aug 16, 2024)
- Type:
- Lecture
- Instructors:
- Xinda Lian
- Subject:
- Chinese
- Department:
- Chinese
- Division:
- Language School
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- Civ Cul & Soc
- Levels:
- Graduate
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 60454
- Subject Code:
- CHNS
- Course Number:
- 6661
- Section Identifier:
- A