The Zhuangzi’s critique of dogmatic approaches to argumentation and governing the state.
We introduce the second great classic of Warring States Daoism, the Zhuangzi, and ask whether it adopts a position of radical skepticism.
Are the methods of warfare proposed in the famous Art of War an example of “applied Daoism”?
An interview on the pervasive use of the yin-yang relational pair in classical Chinese thought generally, and in Daoism in particular.
The concept of wuwei or “non-action”: does it mean that the perfect sage or political ruler simply never does anything?
How the Laozi (Daodejing) applies the lessons of complementarity to the contrast between male and female.
The significance of the Laozi’s use of opposing pairs, which are treated as complementary rather as exclusive dichotomies.
The Laozi (Daodejing) refers to the winds, the rain and the waters. We discuss how these ideas express the Laozi’s views on nature.
The first rule of dao is: don’t talk about dao. We do so nonetheless, focusing on its role in metaphysics and language.
What does “Daoism” refer to in a range of contexts, and how have excavated texts changed our understanding of the tensions between Daoism and Confucianism?
We conclude our series on Mohism with an interview that looks at the Mohists' dialectic and its relationship to their ethics.
Later Mohists explained in the Canons how to provide compelling philosophical arguments, and how to avoid mistakes in argumentation. Does this count as “logic”?
What Mohist dialectics and Gongsun Long’s “White Horse Not Horse” argument tell us about the connection between language and knowledge.
Did Mozi tell people that ghosts exist and that we can change our fate because he thought these things are true, or because it would be beneficial for people to believe them?
An interview on the contrasting views of Mohists and Confucians on ethical duties and warfare.
How the Mohist principle of “inclusive care” leads to political order and (mostly) forbids the fighting of wars.
Disagreements between the Mohists and the Confucians: is seeking benefits the right way to approach life? What motivates us to act morally, care for our loved ones or a doctrine of impartiality?
How did the Mohists establish their consequentialist ethic of “impartial care (jian ’ai)”? Was this theory ultimately grounded in the will of Heaven?
An introduction to the Mozi, the founding text of an anti-elitist school of thought that tests social and political practices by the measure of “benefit.”
In our final episode on classical Confucianism, our interview guest tells us about the surprising moral depth of the concept of "etiquette"
Katie Louise Tyers
Is it possible to obtain an audio version of the vedas available? Thanks Katie
Nicolas De Belder
History of philosophy
Mally Waxx
what about ancient American philosophy. before colonialism there were people and cultures that we know about and evidence has been uncovered making America older than the rest of the world. and the connection to America and the ancient world must be discussed as well
Manas Avijit
Good fucking stuff.
steve yeeve
absolutely amazing podcast. my favorite.