Weeks Four and Five

Monday 9/17--In-class essay on readings to date. My outlines of Aristotle's argument in the excerpts from the Nichomachean Ethics are here: the good and moral virtue.

Tuesday 9/18--Read Confucius and Mencius excerpts (read all of Book 1 then the marked passages and glance over the rest). Also, do a brief response (200 words) on the following question: what does Confucius and/or Mencius mean by the "good" or "virtuous" man? Use specific passages to support your ideas.

Note: Mencius was a student of Confucius in much the same way that Aristotle was of Plato. The Mencius passages are the last two pages of your PDF.

Thursday 9/20--Print out and read Zhuang Zi excerpts pp. 1-11 (stop at very top of 11, at "profit and loss!").

Friday 9/21--Finish reading Zhuang Zi excerpts and post three questions on the response site.

    • As before, one question should be a close reading question. One question should be a discussion question. One should be a question about larger issues/personal relevance.

Monday 9/24--Response on Zhuang Zi (400 words). Practice for in-class essay tomorrow.

    • Pick one of Zhuang Zi's metaphors.

    • Analyze the language of the passage and the image carefully.

      • Look for the larger implications of the metaphor.

    • Please write out the passage before starting your response.

Tuesday 9/25--In-class essay #2. Comparative topic?

Thursday 9/27--Journal entry (525 words).

    • Topic: We've now read four rather different philosophers on the topic of morality/how to lead one's life: Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, and Zhuang Zi. Write a journal entry in which you explore why you are drawn to (or repelled by!) certain of these philosophies. Any of them useful in thinking about moral issues in your own life? Any of them give you clarity on what you passionately believe or don't believe about how to lead a good and/or "aware" life?

    • As with the previous journal entry, the more you can connect the readings to your personal life, the better.

Friday 9/28--Read Nervous Conditions, Chapt. 1 and part of 2 (bottom of page 26 ". . . below you instead of above.").