中国文化鉴赏Unit 2

Process control 过程控制
Creativity 创新
Naturalness and Non-action
Naturalness (顺应自然)
• It refers to a natural state of being, an attitude of following the way of nature. • • Everything in the world has its own way of being and development. Natural phenomena occur independently and naturally without following any human will, and humans should not try to change anything natural.
• Famous versions of its translation include that of James Legge and that of Stephen Mitchell.
Introduction
The core of Laozi’s philosophy
• Many of Laozi’s enlightening views are based on his philosophy of naturalness and non-action.
Introduction
• It also exerts a direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation and is still playing a role in the development of Chinese thinking.
Introduction
Laozi was a man of great learning. Even Confucius was said to have traveled miles to consult him. (孔子曾前往周都洛阳，问道于老子。老子张开嘴
巴让孔子看，问道：“我的牙齿还在吗？”孔子如实回答：“不在 了。”老子又问：“我的舌头还在吗？”孔子告诉老子：“还在。” 老子意味深长地告诫孔子：“坚硬者死之徒，柔弱者生之徒。牙齿是 坚硬的，所以它老早就掉了；舌头是柔软的，所以它至今还存在。”)
Listening practice: introduction to Laozi
• His name was _______”Li Er” and he worked as an archivist （案卷保管人）at the _______ of a monarch from the ruling of the Zhou _______. But he became _______ known by the name of ‘Lao-tzu’, which means something like ‘old master’. • Lao-tzu (604-531 B.C.) was mainly a ______ and he wrote Dao De Jing. Lao-tzu believed that it was better to adapt oneself spontaneously (自发地) to the _________ of life than to force, to worry, or to try to get hold on something. He clearly ________ knowledge from wisdom and he _______ great value to ________, ________, ________ and ________.
Introduction
The influence of Laozi
• The book has played a tremendous role in the development of Chinese culture.
• It became the basis of Daoism, the school of philosophy parallel to Confucianism in ancient China. • The thought of Laozi formed the foundation of Daoism, the most influential indigenous school of religion in China.
core of Laozi’s philosophy
NaturalnessFra bibliotekNon-action
their essence
What is it?
How should peopl e deal with nature?
What are the misconce ptions (误 解)about it?
Unit 2 Laozi’s Philosophy of Non-action
Content
Lead-in
Text study
Exercises
Lead-in
“The Dao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Dao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things.” What’s the Chinese version of these lines?
Confucius consulting Laozi about li
Introduction
Why is Li Ran known as Laozi rather than Lizi? There are two explanations as to the source of “Laozi”. Some say during the period when Li Ran was alive, Lao and Li were pronounced in the same way. So “Laozi” actually sounded the same as “Lizi” at that time. The second legend is that Li Ran was born with white eyebrow and white beard like an old man. Thus he was called “Laozi”.
Listening practice: introduction to Laozi
• His name was _______”Li Er” and he worked as an archivist （案卷保管人）at the _______ of a monarch from the ruling of the Zhou _______. But he became _______ known by the name of ‘Lao-tzu’, which means something like ‘old master’. • originally; court; Dynasty; generally; • Lao-tzu (604-531 B.C.) was mainly a ______ and he wrote Dao De Jing. Lao-tzu believed that it was better to adapt oneself spontaneously (自发地) to the _________ of life than to force, to worry, or to try to get hold on something. He clearly ________ knowledge from wisdom and he _______ great value to ________, ________, ________ and ________. • philosopher; circumstances; distinguished; attached; simplicity; integrity; compassion; modesty
• Critical thinking: What do you think of the story/tree?
Edward de Bono
• Six ‘thinking hats’ 六个“思考帽”
• For China
Optimist 乐观派
Intuition直觉
Pessimist 悲观派
Analysis分析
Introduction
Laozi in the world
• It is first introduced into Europe possibly as early as the 15th century • It has become one of the most translated philosophical works of ancient China.
Introduction
Laozi
• Laozi (《老子》), also known as Classic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing). • The author is generally believed to be Laozi. • It consists of just over 5,000 Chinese characters. Its 81 chapters are divided into two parts, Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue).