Mengzi and Xunzi show that a Confucian political theory need not be idealistic.
An interview about the "resonant cosmos" in early Confucianism, and the role played by music in linking sages to the universe.
The role of knowing in Confucian ethics: should it be understood as “knowing how,” or even “knowing to,” rather than “knowing that”?
Morality is what makes us humans, for the Confucians. But does morality come from inside us, outside us, or both?
Xunzi, a thinker who shaped the course of Confucian philosophy by showing how deliberate effort can overcome our wicked natural tendencies.
Several ancient Chinese texts speak of an egoist and hedonist known as Yang Zhu: did he pose a coherent challenge to the Confucians and other ethicists?
In the Mengzi, the text that bears his name, Mengzi ("Mencius") holds that the human heart-mind is the wellspring of goodness.
Should the remarkable parallels between Aristotelian and Confucian ethics lead us to classify Confucianism as a type of “virtue ethics”?
In this interview, we learn how Kongzi become the pivotal sage of early Chinese history, and what new discoveries teach us about the Confucian tradition.
What does the Analects say about living as a human being? How are individuals embedded in society, and how do they develop their unique identities?
Confucianism puts relationships with family members at the core of their ethical thinking. Is this a strength or a weakness?
Lessons we can take from the teachings of Kongzi (Confucius) in the Analects: challenging authorities, adhering to “benevolence (ren),” and practicing “propriety (li)” in ritual and everyday life.
An introduction to Kongzi, the founder of Confucianism, and to the text that has come to represent his thought, the Lunyu (Analects).
In this interview, we learn how newly discovered texts are changing our understanding of Warring States period philosophy.
What were ancient Chinese philosophical texts written on? How did writing relate to orally transmitted wisdom? How were texts read and used? And what even counted as a “text” in ancient China?
The historical context of classical Chinese philosophy, and how ancient Chinese historical works themselves became works of philosophy.
Co-host Karyn introduces herself to the listeners and talks about the challenges of tackling classical Chinese philosophical texts.
Early Chinese philosophers were deeply aware of a world that is constantly changing: we look at how Confucians, Legalists, and Daoists responded to this challenge.
Introducing Chinese philosophy through the concept of "dao," a fundamental word in classical Chinese philosophy, with a range of meanings across its different traditions.
How Africana philosophy looked to a young Chike Jeffers, coming into the field in the early 21st century.
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.