Introduction to Chinese Philosophy - Thicket
Thicket
Introduction to Chinese Philosophy

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy

This course is an introduction to the writings attributed to Confucius (trad. 551-479 BCE) and early thinkers that developed, contested, and reinterpreted his philosophical tradition. Each week we will read brief excerpts from early philosophical writings (a few pages max), discuss their core arguments, the contexts that shaped them, and their relevance in our contemporary world. Participants will also receive recommended reading lists for further self-study. No prior knowledge of Chinese language, philosophy, or history is required.
TBD

Your Instructor

Nicholas Constantino
Nicholas Constantino

PhD in History
University of California, Berkeley

Nicholas Constantino holds a PhD in History from UC Berkeley, where he taught classes in Chinese and Japanese history, as well as intensive writing seminars. He previously served as the Director of Research and Programs at the Elling Eide Center and has published works on early Chinese philosophy, ritual, and classical learning.

Chinese PhilosophyAncient HistoryComparative EthicsLegal Thought
View full profile

$120

What you'll learn

Introduction to politics and ethics in pre-imperial China

How to approach ancient philosophical texts

Key ethical concepts in early Chinese thought

Ancient theories on human nature

The contemporary relevance of ancient philosophy

Course Schedule

For this first week we’ll examine writings attributed to Confucius (trad. 551—479 BCE), with a special attention to his view of ritual's (li 禮) critical role in society. We'll consider ritual's relation to other key ethical concepts, including “humaneness” (ren 仁), “integrity" (cheng 誠), and "trustworthiness" (xin 信). Ultimately, we'll consider the contemporary relevance of Confucius's teachings and legacies.

What You Get

Live interactive sessions

Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors

Small discussion groups

Maximum 15 students for personalized attention

Session recordings

Review and revisit class content anytime

Dedicated platform

Track progress and organize your schedule