Liberty and Chinese Philosophy
ABSTRACT
Through a comparison of five Chinese thinkers, this conference investigated general themes such as the rule of law; the purpose and legitimate extent of political authority; the relationship of the individual to political society and to the social community; and the harmonies or oppositions among the ideas of innovation, tradition, stasis, and progress. We believe that consideration of these texts will help us better understand the extent to which the idea of liberty in Chinese classical thought can be compared to Western ideas of liberty.
READING LIST
Conference Readings
Chu, Yang. Yang Chu's Garden of Pleasure. Translated by Anton Forke. London: Unknown Publisher, 1912.http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/ycgp/index.htm (accessed 3/25/2009).
Lao-Tse. "The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics." Philosophy Eserver. http://philosophy.eserver.org/tao-teh-ching.txt (3/25/2009).
Shang Yang. The Book of Lord Shang: A Classic of the Chinese School of Law. Translated by J. J. L. Duyvendak. London: Arthur Probsthain (late Probsthain & Co.), 1928.
Soothill, William Edward. The Analects of Confucius. Yokohama: Fukuin Printing Company, 1910.http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/1846 (accessed 2009-03-25).
Translated by Yi-Pao Mei. "The Ethical and Political Works of Mo Tzu." Chinese Text Project. http://chinese.dsturgeon.net/index.html (3/25/2009).
Various. "Miscellaneous Sayings." China, China, China B.C..