The concept of wuwei 無為/无为, often translated as nonaction or effortless action, is central to classical Chinese philosophy. But what exactly is the idea and what are its practical implications? What puzzles does it raise regarding the nature of human actions, purpose, and intention? We examine these questions by focusing on some central passages from the Daodejing.
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Category Archives: Laozi
Fall 四海为学 “Collaborative Learning” Free Seminars
This academic year the 四海为学 “Collaborative Learning” project will be hosting 2-3 events each month. Please visit their event calendar for details.
The program is also hosting three seminars this fall, seminars are free courses that are open to anyone interested:
1. Dao and Logos: Reading the Laozi with/against Heraclitus
Led by: Dimitra Amarantidou (University of Macau) and Fabian Heubel (Academia Sinica) This course will meet on Mondays at 19:00 Beijing time. There will eight classes, starting in October 21 and ending December 9th.
2. Early Chinese Philosophy of Education
Led by: Geir Sigurðsson (University of Iceland) and Paul J. D’Ambrosio (East China Normal University)This class will meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm Beijing time, and starts September 24th
3. The Political Laozi
Led by: Paul J. D’Ambrosio (East China Normal University), Dimitra Amarantidou (University of Macau), and John Lombardini (College of William and Mary)This class will meet on Tuesdays at 7:45 pm Beijing time. It will begin on September 24th.
For more details and links to any of these seminars please visit: https://www.
Episode 6 of “This Is the Way”: Partiality and Justice
Episode 6 of This Is the Way is on Tao Jiang’s book. We don’t cover every one of the fascinating issues raised in the 516 pages of Professor Jiang’s volume, but we do cover some of the core topics, including (1) tensions between impartialist justice and partialist humaneness, and (2) Zhuangzi and freedom. A short description follows, with the usual supporting materials. Continue reading →
Paperback release: Fischer, trans. The Annotated Laozi
Paul Fischer’s new translation of the Dao De Jing (The Annotated Laozi, SUNY Press) has been released in paperback, and this coupon has information on a 30% discount.
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New Book: The Daodejing Commentary of Cheng Xuanying
This is now the third translation in the Oxford Chinese Thought book series, which is devoted to providing high-quality translations of important philosophical and religious texts, for scholars and for classroom use. A short description follows below the fold.
New book: The Art of Chinese Philosophy by Paul Goldin
Paul Godin’s new book, The Art of Chinese Philosophy: Eight Classical Texts and How to Read Them, has been published by Princeton University Press. More info is found here.
New issue of Frontiers of Philosophy in China
The latest issue of FPC is available, with a focus on “Contemporary Explorations of the Thought of Laozi.” Read on for the details.
Irene Cronin (UCLA): The Notion of Accepted Contradiction in Early Chinese Daoism. 12 Dec 2016 at CUNY Graduate Center
FALL 2016 Logic and Metaphysics Workshop
Date: Monday December 12, 4.15-6.15
Place: Room 5382, CUNY Graduate Center.
Speaker: Irena Cronin, UCLA
Title: The Notion of Accepted Contradiction in Early Chinese Daoism
Abstract: Although the representation of the Dao differs a little between the representative Early Chinese Daoist works Zhuangzi and Dao de jing, the differences are one of degree, rather than “substance”. In Zhuangzi, the common man as possible master craftsman, whether it be as a cook, woodmaker, or fisherman, or other kind of craftsman, has the capability of understanding and embracing the Dao (although these occurrences would be relatively rare), while in Dao de jing, it is only the Sage, a rare man of extreme ability that can do so; all others do not have this capability and have minor, shadowy and totally indeterminable experiences of the Dao, and are “condemned” to live an ignorant and almost animal-like existence, finding solace in creature comforts.
OUP’s Philosopher of the Month: Lao Tzu
Apparently Oxford University Press has started a “Philosopher of the Month” feature, and July belongs to Lao Tzu. Perhaps not the deepest analysis, but nice to be included. (Thanks to Eric Hutton for passing this on.)
WuWei Revisited
Scott Barnwell revisits one of our favorite topics:
Off and on over the past 18 months I’ve been working on a new essay for my blog series “Classical Daoism – Is There Really Such a Thing?” The essay is on Wuwei 無為 and whether it could be considered a defining feature of a group or tradition we call (early) Daoism. I’ve got some thoughts I hope some may feel like addressing. As far as I can tell, wuwei does not have just one meaning or usage. I think there are a few different uses and would like to know if others would differentiate them as I do.
