I study in China and have taken local classes on these topics. I can read the originals with the help of notes. This teacher is very knowledgeable with a talent for explaining things clearly
I've been reading Brooks' Analects and have your Mengzi to read next. I'm amazed to see you have some serious lectures on here. There's so little on Confucianism on UA-cam from strong scholars. And there's even less on Zhu Xi, even in print. Thanks for putting this and the other videos on here!
I'm glad you are enjoying my lectures. I'd recommend Edward Slingerland's Analects translation, and I also have a lecture on Confucius on my channel here.
I've just ordered a book on Zhu Xi. It's (to my limited knowledge admittedly!) the form of Confucianism that attracts me. I like the way he adds ontology and metaphysics to the Confucian tradition. These are really great talks. Thank you!
That’s indeed the best part, he combined Lao Tzu’s universe and Kongzi’s moral philosophy, all synthesized with scientific thought/fact. Make sure you actually read Zhu Xi, not “books on Zhu Xi.”
@@sol6835 I got the translations of his commentaries on the classics and selected writings. Like you, I much prefer reading the primary texts (though I can only do so in English translation). I read it every day when I can. It's fantastic
Thank you professor Van Norden , Very clear delivery and Im grateful for the summary - structure and spirit - this is only the second lecture of yours which I have watched But I look forward to the opportunity to following some of the others - you had mentioned the separation between Confucianism and Buddhism that Neo Confucianism bridges but I’m curious to know more about the conceptual idealogical premise for these differences and the their alignments? 🙏 thank you
Wow! This channel is truly amazing! Many of the analogies used by the professor provide a new perspective on my understanding of neoconfucianism! I like to find gold, thank you professor for the enlightenment.
Really helpful and illuminating insights from Prof Van Norden. I love the way he explains how the "four books" which became the core of the examination system re-constitute a Confucian "lineage" from Confucius to Mencius, co-opting the lineage concept from Zen and other Buddhist sects. My big underlying question still remains. Why did China embrace Buddhism so profoundly?
I really like the side by side comparison of how buddhist thought changed or evolved at a high level over long time periods. Do you know some books that do more of that can of high level broad comparison without getting too long and stuck in minutiae?
Glad you enjoyed the lecture! There are not too many good books on Buddhism as philosophy, but you might check my online bibliography at bryanvannorden.com
Is there a connection, historically or philosophically, between li (pattern, principle) and li (ritual, rites)? Are these homophones in Chinese, or are they just different words that sound superficially similar to English speakers?
They are homophones in Mandarin Chinese too, but that's just a coincidence, since they are etymologically unrelated. However, some Neo-Confucians did suggest that the rites (li) are the manifestation of the Pattern (li).
I like your analysis between Buddhism and Confucianism. I would imagine that that the analysis should be more interesting if we add Taoism to the mix. Cheers,
Thank you! Totally agree that western philosophy depts should teach Asian philosophy! I wonder what Kant would say about Pattern/Chi, (not that I understand what Kant is saying...)
Might you know of any whole works of Shao Yung's that have been translated into english that aren't mere selections in anthologies? I'm finding myself particularly interested in neo-confucian cosmology, and his especially. Great lecture series by the way.
There are a couple of books ABOUT Shao Yong out there, but no complete translation that I am aware of: Anne Birdwhistell, Transition to Neo-Confucianism: Shao Yung on Knowledge and Symbols of Reality, and Don Wyatt, The Recluse of Loyang: Shao Yung and the Moral Evolution of Early Sung Thought.
I study in China and have taken local classes on these topics. I can read the originals with the help of notes. This teacher is very knowledgeable with a talent for explaining things clearly
Thank you for your kind words!
I've been reading Brooks' Analects and have your Mengzi to read next. I'm amazed to see you have some serious lectures on here. There's so little on Confucianism on UA-cam from strong scholars. And there's even less on Zhu Xi, even in print. Thanks for putting this and the other videos on here!
I'm glad you are enjoying my lectures. I'd recommend Edward Slingerland's Analects translation, and I also have a lecture on Confucius on my channel here.
I've just ordered a book on Zhu Xi. It's (to my limited knowledge admittedly!) the form of Confucianism that attracts me. I like the way he adds ontology and metaphysics to the Confucian tradition. These are really great talks. Thank you!
That’s indeed the best part, he combined Lao Tzu’s universe and Kongzi’s moral philosophy, all synthesized with scientific thought/fact. Make sure you actually read Zhu Xi, not “books on Zhu Xi.”
@@sol6835 I got the translations of his commentaries on the classics and selected writings. Like you, I much prefer reading the primary texts (though I can only do so in English translation). I read it every day when I can. It's fantastic
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on Zhu Xi’s commentaries on the Four Books translated into English?
There is no complete translation in one volume, but you can get samples in Daniel K. Gardner's "The Four Books."
@@BryanVanNordenPhilosophy Thank you very much, Dr. Van Norden.
Thank you professor Van Norden , Very clear delivery and Im grateful for the summary - structure and spirit - this is only the second lecture of yours which I have watched But I look forward to the opportunity to following some of the others - you had mentioned the separation between Confucianism and Buddhism that Neo Confucianism bridges but I’m curious to know more about the conceptual idealogical premise for these differences and the their alignments? 🙏 thank you
Thank you for your kind words!
I had heard that neoconfucianism used Buddhist and Daoist ideas. Glad to understand which ideas exactly those were.
Wow! This channel is truly amazing! Many of the analogies used by the professor provide a new perspective on my understanding of neoconfucianism!
I like to find gold, thank you professor for the enlightenment.
much enthusiasm to the subject, thank you!
Really helpful and illuminating insights from Prof Van Norden. I love the way he explains how the "four books" which became the core of the examination system re-constitute a Confucian "lineage" from Confucius to Mencius, co-opting the lineage concept from Zen and other Buddhist sects. My big underlying question still remains. Why did China embrace Buddhism so profoundly?
wondeful video, didn't thought I would find a good vid on him
I really like the side by side comparison of how buddhist thought changed or evolved at a high level over long time periods. Do you know some books that do more of that can of high level broad comparison without getting too long and stuck in minutiae?
Glad you enjoyed the lecture! There are not too many good books on Buddhism as philosophy, but you might check my online bibliography at bryanvannorden.com
Is there a connection, historically or philosophically, between li (pattern, principle) and li (ritual, rites)? Are these homophones in Chinese, or are they just different words that sound superficially similar to English speakers?
They are homophones in Mandarin Chinese too, but that's just a coincidence, since they are etymologically unrelated. However, some Neo-Confucians did suggest that the rites (li) are the manifestation of the Pattern (li).
I like your analysis between Buddhism and Confucianism. I would imagine that that the analysis should be more interesting if we add Taoism to the mix. Cheers,
Thank you! Totally agree that western philosophy depts should teach Asian philosophy! I wonder what Kant would say about Pattern/Chi, (not that I understand what Kant is saying...)
Might you know of any whole works of Shao Yung's that have been translated into english that aren't mere selections in anthologies? I'm finding myself particularly interested in neo-confucian cosmology, and his especially. Great lecture series by the way.
There are a couple of books ABOUT Shao Yong out there, but no complete translation that I am aware of: Anne Birdwhistell, Transition to Neo-Confucianism: Shao Yung on Knowledge and Symbols of Reality, and Don Wyatt, The Recluse of Loyang: Shao Yung and the Moral Evolution of Early Sung Thought.
Fantastic lecture!
When you need to understand the fundamentals before diving into contemporary issues.
Neo Confucians sounds just like taoism when it comes to explaining reality
If you want to know Zhu Xi, watch a K-drama.
You lost me at colonizing Mars. 🙄
That’s like...the end of the lecture.