Double-spaced, not more than 800 words. (You may use parenthetical notation to indicate page numbers for textual references.)
Due in class, Wednesday, March 3, 2006.
Be sure to write your name, the name of the class, and the title of your topic (Hsun Tzu and Zhuangzi, Hsun Tzu and Mencius on Human Nature, The Goddess and Sariputra ) at the top of the page.
I also strongly encourage you to read the essays on my Writing web
pages, especially "Four Keys to Writing in the Humanities," "Paper
Writing Guidelines," "Checklist for Papers," and "Writing: The Bridge
between Consciousness and Unconsciousness."
Topics
1. Hsun Tzu and Zhuangzi: Potter and Woodworker
Zhuangzi uses the image of a woodworker carving a bellstand
(126-127) in order to describe the skillful Taoist. Hsun Tzu refers
to the image of a potter molding clay (164) to describe how the
Confucian Sages created the li. In either case, they are
describing someone who lives in the world of distinctions and becomes
one with the Tao, the flow and patterns of the cosmos. What are two
similarities and three differences between the two (or three
similarities and two differences between the two)? Use two or three
paragraphs at the end of your paper to discuss whether their views
are ultimately compatible or not. (Suggestion: Dan Lerman's article
in the course reader, "Language and the Nature of Distinctions: An
Analysis of Hsün Tzu and Zhuangzi," may be a helpful source of
ideas.)
2. Hsun Tzu and Mencius on Human Nature
Mencius presents the four sprouts in an agricultural metaphor in order to argue that human nature is good (Mencius 2A6, reserve)Hsun Tzu argues that human nature is bad and in need of reform like a warped piece of wood. (see especially "Section 23: Man's Nature is Evil," Hsun Tzu 157-171).
A) Present Mencius' arguments first, then Hsun Tzu's likely response, then Mencius' response to Hsun Tzu.
Or:
B) Present Mencius' arguments first, then Hsun Tzu's likely response, then Mencius' response to Hsun Tzu.
If you like, you can write this paper as a dialogue between the two thinkers.
(Suggestions: Remember, don't simply rely on the passages cited
above but incorporate ideas from their works as a whole. You might
refer to some of Mencius' four types of arguments for his position -
testimonial, give-away actions, childhood predispositions, and
thought-experiments; Hsun Tzu argues that the conscious activity
[ability to make distinctions] that learns the li is
not part of human nature but is an instrument that must be cultivated
by outside influences. Also, Ivanhoe's articles contain useful
ideas.)
3. The Goddess and Sariputra
In the "Goddess" chapter from the Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti (Course Reader), the Goddess uses her magical power to transform herself into a Sariputra, a man, and Sariputra into herself, a woman. She does this to teach Sariputra a lesson, that the outer appearance of being a man or a woman has nothing to do with one's ability to attain enlightenment. What is the basis of her argument, and is it convincing? (Suggestion: How does emptiness relate to her argument?)
4. Hsun Tzu and the Sage Kings
Hsun Tzu's claim that human nature is bad faces a very specific difficulty. His premise is that, although human nature (emotions, desires) has a tendency to be chaotic and destructive, the Sage Kings overcame this tendency. According to Hsun Tzu, the Sage Kings were able to discern the patterns of Heaven, invent the li, and teach others the value of following the li. It would seem that the Sage Kings had something no other human beings had: The ability to overcome their bad human nature and invent a way of life in harmony with other human beings and the cosmos. Write a paper arguing for the strongest possible case for Hsun Tzu's view of human nature using at least one analogy from modern life. Raise criticisms and questions about this view, and then come to a conclusion, either by providing a response on Hsun Tzu's behalf to these criticisms or showing that he would be unable to respond to them. (Suggestion: See Ivanhoe article, "Moral Understanding and Human Nature in Xunzi," in the Course Reader.)