Is Confucianism synonymous with Chinese culture? While it may be an overstatement to equate the two, there is little doubt that Confucianism pervades every level of Chinese culture and society. To be sure, other traditions such as Daoism and Buddhism have also left an indelible mark; nevertheless, Confucianism remains central to the shaping of the Chinese imagination. The influence of Confucianism extends beyond China to East Asia and through migration and cultural diffusion, other parts of the world. Confucianism traces its origins to the teachings of Confucius. What makes Confucius so special and what did he teach? This course will explore some of the key concepts in Confucian philosophy. Much of the discussion will centre on the Analects of Confucius, the foundational text of Confucian wisdom, although attention will also be given to the subsequent unfolding of the Confucian tradition. We will attempt to situate Confucian philosophy in its own context and to bring out its contemporary significance. Confucianism is a living tradition. Its vitality hinges on not only its continuing relevance in Chinese society but also its contribution to meeting the global challenges confronting the world today. There are no prerequisites for this course, other than a keen interest in Chinese tradition and culture, and the willingness to engage the Analects of Confucius.
儒家哲学探索
新加坡南洋理工大学课程信息
提供方
新加坡南洋理工大学
Young and research-intensive, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) is ranked 13th globally. It is also placed 1st amongst the world’s best young universities. NTU has about 33,000 students in the colleges of engineering, science, business, education, humanities, arts, social sciences. Its medical school is set up jointly with Imperial College London. A melting pot of international award-winning scientists, young talents and eminent global partners, NTU is also home to several world-class research institutes that builds on its strengths in interdisciplinary research.
教学大纲 - 您将从这门课程中学到什么
Introduction: The World of Confucius
Part 1 - The World of Confucius
Meaningful engagement with Confucian philosophy requires a disciplined and informed imagination. Confucius (or Kongzi, in Chinese) flourished in a time of considerable change and political instability. Some understanding of the world of early China would be critical, as Confucian ideas did not grow out of a historical vacuum. In this context, we will examine the Analects—known in Chinese as Lunyu—a compilation of sayings and conversations attributed to Confucius that is essential to our understanding of Confucian philosophy.
Part 2A - The Vision of Confucius
The teachings of Confucius are perhaps best understood as a major philosophical renovation of the early Chinese intellectual scene. We will start with the cardinal concept of the junzi, the moral and cultural exemplar that stands at the heart of the Confucian vision. What are the characteristics of the ideal junzi? Can one become a junzi and if so, how can that be accomplished? In this context, some of the key Confucian ethical concepts such as ren (humaneness or humanity), li (propriety), and yi (rightness) will be introduced.
Part 2B - The Vision of Confucius (cont'd)
In this same context (refer to week 2), as we continue our guided tour, as it were, of the rich intellectual landscape that is Confucianism, we examine briefly the concept of “filial piety” (xiao), the key concern with learning and education (xue), which extends far beyond academic interests, and other related concepts. In addition, I would like to raise the question as to whether there is a religious or spiritual dimension to Confucian philosophy, and if so, how does it relate to ethics and political philosophy. There is much to discuss here, and we will return to the question of the impact of the Confucian vision on Chinese culture towards the end of this course.
Part 3A - The Unfolding of Confucianism
“Confucianism” is an abstract generalization. While it may serve as a convenient label, it must be used with care. What needs to be made clear is that the Confucian tradition is dynamic, interacting with different currents of thought as well as harbouring rich internal differences. In this part of the course, some of the main rivals to Confucian philosophy in early China will be introduced. These concern what have come to be called “Mohism,” “Daoism,” and “Legalism” in classical Chinese philosophy.
审阅
来自儒家哲学探索的热门评论
This course is amazing! The teacher is great and the subject is super interesting. I've completed like 20 Coursera courses and I can say that this is one of the best courses of Coursera. Thanks a lot.
I loved every minute of this. Really well structured, very interesting and engaging and I genuinely feel I gained a lot. Thank you!
Thorough review of the subject. Some of the interviews are in Chinese with subtitles. Has peer review.
常见问题
我什么时候能够访问课程视频和作业？
讲座和作业的访问权限取决于您的注册类型。如果您以旁听模式参加课程，则可以免费查看大多数课程资料。要访问评分作业并获得证书，您需要在旁听期间或之后购买证书体验。如果看不到旁听选项：
- 课程可能不提供旁听选项。您可以尝试免费试用，也可以申请助学金。
- 课程可能会改为提供'完整课程，没有证书'。通过此选项，您可以查看所有课程材料、提交所要求的作业，以及获得最终成绩。这也意味着您将无法购买证书体验。
我购买证书后会得到什么？
您购买证书后，将有权访问所有课程材料，包括评分作业。完成课程后，您的电子课程证书将添加到您的成就页中，您可以通过该页打印您的课程证书或将其添加到您的领英档案中。如果您只想阅读和查看课程内容，可以免费旁听课程。
退款政策是如何规定的？
您可在付款后两周内，或者在课程第一个班次开课后（对于已启动的课程）两周内，获得全额退款，以其中较晚者为准。获得课程证书后，您便无法再退款；即使您在两周的退款期内完成了课程，也是如此。请阅读我们完整的退款政策。
有助学金吗？
是的，Coursera 可以向无法承担学费的学生提供助学金。点击左侧‘注册’按钮下的‘助学金’链接即可申请助学金。您可以根据屏幕提示完成申请，申请获批后会收到通知。了解详情。
What will I gain from this course?
This course will equip you with a better understanding of the Confucian tradition and how it has shaped Chinese society and culture over the centuries. It should help broaden your perspective in reflecting on fundamental questions of ethics and culture, which are of critical importance to today’s globalized and technology-driven world.
Do I need to know Chinese to take this course?
No, knowledge of the Chinese language is not necessary. Some key Chinese terms will be introduced, but they do not require prior knowledge of Chinese.
What do I need to take this class?
All you need is a computer with an internet connection, the time to read, reflect, write, and discuss with your peers.
完成课程后，我会获得大学学分吗？
此课程不提供大学学分，但部分大学可能会选择接受课程证书作为学分。查看您的合作院校，了解详情。Coursera 上的在线学位和 Mastertrack™ 证书提供获得大学学分的机会。
还有其他问题吗？请访问 学生帮助中心。
