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.
Category Archives: Laozi
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.
New Book on Daoism
Three Pines Press proudly announces the second volume in our new series
Contemporary Chinese Scholarship in Daoist Studies
Rediscovering the Roots of Chinese Thought: Laozi’s Philosophy
by CHEN Guying, translated by Paul D’Ambrosio
ISBN 978-1-931483-61-2
paperback, 150 pages, bibliography, index
available January 1, 2015
US $27.95
prepublication special: US $22.50
ORDER NOW: www.threepinespress.com<http://www.threepinespress.com/>
Laozi on Marriage?
A blog reader asked: I just found Laozi’s having the following quote attributed to him (on several quote-collecting websites):
“Marriage is three parts love and seven parts forgiveness of sins.”
Do you have any idea whether this is actually from a *text* attributed to him, and if so, which? (None of the sites I have found gives one.) If not, would you mind asking about this on the blog?
New Daoism Journal
I have recently learned that Professor Zhan Shichuang 詹石窗 of Sichuan University is founding an English-language academic journal, Frontiers of Daoist Studies. Anyone interested in submitting work can contact Zhang Lijuan 张丽娟, a postdoctoral fellow in the Institute of Religious Studies, who represents the Editorial Office of the journal.
Review of Book on Early Medieval Chinese Philosophy
A very favorable and informative review of Chan and Lo, eds., Philosophy and Religion in Early Medieval China (SUNY, 2010) has appeared on H-Net; take a look!
