Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/mencius2
In today’s fast-paced, globalized world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the foundational principles that have shaped cultures for centuries. The Coursera course, “East Asian Confucianisms: Mencius(2)” (東亞儒學：孟子二), offers a profound journey into the heart of Chinese traditional culture by closely examining the original text of Mencius. This course is not just an academic exercise; it’s an invitation to discover the profound humanistic implications of Mencius’s philosophy and to grasp its relevance in the 21st century.
The course masterfully guides learners through a dialogue with Mencius, spanning from the Warring States period all the way to the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. This historical conversation allows us to reflect on our own era’s challenges and to derive principles for navigating life. As the course highlights, influential thinkers like Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming engaged deeply with Mencius’s ideas to address the complexities of their own times. By studying their approaches, we can learn valuable lessons for our own context.
Through this course, you’ll gain an understanding of Mencius’s powerful critique of his era, his unyielding character, and his determination to foster change. You’ll also recognize his unwavering sense of mission during a time of political transition, social restructuring, and economic development. Mencius’s spirit of taking responsibility for the world, his critique of a society driven by immediate gains, and his personal integrity serve as an exemplary model for intellectuals today.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, beginning with an introduction to engaging with Mencius from the Warring States to the Tang dynasty, exploring how his ideas were reinterpreted across different eras and the historical messages embedded in these interpretations. Subsequent modules delve into the Song dynasty’s renewed appreciation for Mencius, the debates surrounding his philosophy, and Zhu Xi’s influential new interpretations, particularly of the ‘Zhi Yan Yang Qi’ chapter. The course then contrasts Zhu Xi’s views with Wang Yangming’s, offering diverse perspectives on reading Mencius. The Qing dynasty’s intellectual engagement with Mencius is also examined, highlighting new interpretations and their significance. The course concludes with a recap of Mencius’s core teachings and their enduring importance in Chinese culture, reinforcing why this classic remains vital.
For anyone interested in philosophy, history, East Asian studies, or simply seeking to understand timeless wisdom for contemporary living, “East Asian Confucianisms: Mencius(2)” is a highly recommended course. It provides not only intellectual enlightenment but also the potential for significant personal growth.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/mencius2