Using parable and anecdote, allegory and paradox, he set forth, in the book that bears his name, the early ideas of what was to become the Taoist school.

And Burton Watson's lucid and beautiful translation has been loved by generations of readers.Ĭhuang Tzu (369?-286? B.C.) was a leading philosopher representing the Taoist strain in Chinese thought. Ask any questions now with the lecture on Monday, we won't have class again until the 1st - and the paper's due on the 2nd.The basic writings of Chuang Tzu have been savored by Chinese readers for over two thousand years. Take a look at the paper assignment before Thanksgiving break. Why are these stories grouped together under the heading 'Discussion on Making All Things Equal'?

How does the butterfly dream connect with 'this' and 'that'?īefore 5pm Tuesday, post to the newsgroup comments and/or questions you have about the 'underlying theme' of section two.

Take another look at the paragraph that starts on the bottom of page 34, beginning, 'Everything has its 'that'.'.

What does the butterfly dream have to do with 'making all things equal'?.

What does the addition of these sentences do to the story? Make it clearer? more confusing?

What is the point of this story as an epistemological riddle? Some scholars think of the Butterfly Dream as a story about epistemology: the study of how things are known - and whether or not anything can be known.How do we usually think about dreaming and non-dreaming/not-dreaming?.First, consider this story without the last two sentences.45), one of the most famous passages in ancient Chinese literature. Think also about why a particular story is in a particular section.

As you're reading, it might help to mark in the text where you think these stories begin and end. We're dealing with a loose collection of stories, dialogues, and aphorisms arranged into sections. Particular attention to 'the butterfly dream' on page 45.įirst off, a little about the character of the Basic Writings. 23-88 (sections 1-6), paying particular attention to Section 2, 'Discussion on Making All Things Equal,' and very Basic Writings Gilbert: Freshman Studies: Fall 99:įor Wednesday, read pp. Gilbert: Freshman Studies: Fall 99: Chuang Tzu.

Chuang tzu basic writings