Ep. 185 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 2)
In this second helping of Laszlo’s overview of the history of Chinese philosophy, the Great Sage himself is the center of focus. Arguably China’s most famous citizen of all time, Confucius (and his disciples) created an ideology and political system that had incredible lasting power.
Part 2examines the stories surrounding Confucius’s life growing up and operating in the State of Lu during the last decades of the Spring and Autumn period of the Zhou Dynasty. In addition to the trials and tribulations faced by Master Kong in his day, the basic tenets of Confucianism are also introduced.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chén | 陈国 | Zhou Era state in central China north of Cai |
| Chūnqiū | 春秋 | Spring and Autumn Annals chronicles the years of Lu State from 722 to 481 BCE |
| Chǔ | 楚国 | Mighty state in present day Central China |
| Cài | 蔡国 | Zhou Era state in central China bordering Chen and Chu |
| Duke Xiàn of Zhèng ruled | 郑献公 | 513-501 BCE |
| Duke Āi of Lǔ | 鲁哀公 | Reigned in Lu 494-468 BCE |
| Dào | 道 | The Way or Path |
| Dèng Xī | 邓析 | Pre-Confucian philosopher. Lived 545 to 501 BCE |
| Dé | 德 | Virtue |
| Guǎn Zhòng | 管仲 | 720-645 BCE Great reformer and statesman of the Qi State. Advisor to the ruler Duke Huan. Confucius thought highly of him |
| Huángjīn shídài | 黄金时代 | A Golden Age |
| Jì Sūn Shì | 季孙氏 | Viscount Jì Sūn |
| Jī | 姬 | Surname of the Zhou Dynasty founding family, all surnamed Jī |
| Kǒng Miào | 孔庙 | The Temple of Confucius |
| Kǒng Qiū | 孔丘 | Confucius's name |
| Kǒngzǐ | 孔子 | Confucius |
| Liù Yì | 六艺 | the Six Arts ritual, music, archery, chariot riding, calligraphy and math |
| Lüshì Chūnqiū | 吕氏春秋 | Mr. Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals |
| lǎobǎixìng | 老百姓 | the people |
| Lǎozǐ | 老子 | Lao Tzu, The Old Master |
| Lǐjì | 礼记 | The Book of Rites |
| Lǔ | 鲁国 | Neighboring state to Qi in Shandong Province. Qi to the north, Lu to the south. |
| Lǔ Dìng Gōng | 鲁定公 | Duke Dìng of Lǔ |
| Mèngzǐ | 孟子 | Master Mèng |
| Míng Jiā | 名家 | The School of Names |
| Mòzǐ | 墨子 | Philosopher who lived 468-391 BCE. Confucius's first naysayer |
| Pī Lín Pī Kǒng | 批林批孔 | 1973 Criticize Confucius Criticize Lin Biao That lasted three years |
| Qí Jǐng Gōng | 齐景公 | Ruler in Qi from 547-490 BCE |
| Qín Shǐhuáng | 秦始皇 | The first Emperor of China |
| Qūfù | 曲阜 | Confucius's birthplace and site of the main Confucian temple |
| Rén | 仁 | humaneness |
| Shàng Shū | 尚书 | the Book of Documents |
| Shísān Jīng | 十三经 | The 13 Confucian Classics |
| Shùn | 舜 | Another legendary Sage King who may have lived from 2294-2184 BCE |
| Shāndōng | 山东 | Coastal province of China famous for a million things |
| Shāng Dynasty | 商朝 | First dynasty in China for which there is archaeological proof. Ran from roughly 1600 to 1046 BCE |
| Shāngqiū | 商丘 | City in Song State where Confucius's people came from |
| Shī Jīng | 诗经 | The Book of Odes |
| State of Qí | 齐国 | Zhou Era state located in Shandong |
| Sì Shū | 四书 | The Four Books |
| Sòng State | 宋国 | Zhou era state in eastern Hénán and a tad of Western Shandong |
| Sūnzǐ | 孙子 | the Art of War….Sun Tzu Master Sūn…. |
| Three Huan Families of Lǔ (The Sān Huán) | 三桓 | The three most powerful political forces in Lu State: Mèng Sūn Shì (孟孙氏), Shū Sūn Shì (叔孙氏) and Jì Sūn Shì (see below) |
| Tiān | 天 | Heaven |
| Wèi | 渭河 | Major tributary of the Yellow River |
| Wǔ cháng | 五常 | The Five Bonds - The five relationships between Ruler to the ruled, father to son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother and friend to friend |
| Wǔ Jīng | 五经 | The Five Classics |
| Xiǎo rén | 小人 | the Small Person or Lower Person compared with that of the Jūnzǐ |
| Xìn | 信 | integrity, sincerity |
| Xúnzǐ | 荀子 | Master Xún |
| Yáo | 尧 | The legendary Sage King who may have lived from 2356-2255 BCE |
| Yì | 义 | righteousness |
| Yì Jīng | 易经 | The I Ching or Book of Changes |
| Yílǐ | 仪礼 | Ceremonies and Rites |
| Zhèng | 郑国 | in modern day Hénán |
| Zhēnrén | 真人 | the Perfect Person... |
| Zhī | 智 | knowledge |
| Zhōu Yì | 周易 | The Changes of Zhou |
| Zhōulǐ | 周礼 | Rites of Zhou |
| Zuǒ Zhuàn | 左传 | The Commentary of Zuo (by Zuo Qiuming, 30 chapter work covering the period from 722-468 BCE |
| Zūnchēng | 尊称 | an honorific or respectful term added to your surname. |
| Zǐ | 子 | Classical Chinese term for Master |
| Zǐ Gòng | 子贡 | Another major disciple of Confucius |
| Zǐsī | 子思 | Grandson of Confucius and teacher to Mengzi |
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Related Episodes
For this 18th and final episode in the series, we'll focus on the rival philosophies of Lu Xiangshan 陆象山 and Zhu Xi 朱熹。