Compiled centuries before the birth of Jesus, the Analects of Confucius is anything but dry ancient philosophy. Many of its passages hold the same power as any great Socratic dialogue. Which makes trying to get to the heart of the Analects - and its importance - a challenging and undeniably exciting intellectual pursuit. With these 24 accessible lectures, enjoy an adventuro Compiled centuries before the birth of Jesus, the Analects of Confucius is anything but dry ancient philosophy. Many of its passages hold the same power as any great Socratic dialogue. Which makes trying to get to the heart of the Analects - and its importance - a challenging and undeniably exciting intellectual pursuit. With these 24 accessible lectures, enjoy an adventurous exploration of one of the world's most important philosophical texts. Filled with rich historical context, detailed close readings of key passages, expert interpretations of larger cultural trends, and stories of Confucius and his most notable students (and critics), these lectures are required learning for anyone who wants a solid understanding of Eastern philosophy - and the ways a single book can cross cultures and go on to inspire an entire world. After grounding your approach to the Analects with a look at what we know (and don't know) about Confucius' life, career, and teaching philosophy, you'll examine some of the book's most powerful, central themes. Among these are remonstrance (an idea at the heart of Chinese social and political life) and effective rule (which, for Confucius, required a grounding in morality and integrity). As you illuminate your understanding of key passages in the Analects, you'll also meet the students, philosophers, and statesmen who, in their own ways, contributed to the millennia-long story of this enduring book - by recording Confucian thought, critiquing it, building on it, pillorying it, and resurrecting it for the modern age. As with all great philosophical experiences, the Analects is a work whose intellectual richness and insight remain with you long after you've heard the final passages. So, too, will these lectures, which will help internalize Confucian teachings - and make them work in your own life.
Books that Matter: The Analects of Confucius
Compiled centuries before the birth of Jesus, the Analects of Confucius is anything but dry ancient philosophy. Many of its passages hold the same power as any great Socratic dialogue. Which makes trying to get to the heart of the Analects - and its importance - a challenging and undeniably exciting intellectual pursuit. With these 24 accessible lectures, enjoy an adventuro Compiled centuries before the birth of Jesus, the Analects of Confucius is anything but dry ancient philosophy. Many of its passages hold the same power as any great Socratic dialogue. Which makes trying to get to the heart of the Analects - and its importance - a challenging and undeniably exciting intellectual pursuit. With these 24 accessible lectures, enjoy an adventurous exploration of one of the world's most important philosophical texts. Filled with rich historical context, detailed close readings of key passages, expert interpretations of larger cultural trends, and stories of Confucius and his most notable students (and critics), these lectures are required learning for anyone who wants a solid understanding of Eastern philosophy - and the ways a single book can cross cultures and go on to inspire an entire world. After grounding your approach to the Analects with a look at what we know (and don't know) about Confucius' life, career, and teaching philosophy, you'll examine some of the book's most powerful, central themes. Among these are remonstrance (an idea at the heart of Chinese social and political life) and effective rule (which, for Confucius, required a grounding in morality and integrity). As you illuminate your understanding of key passages in the Analects, you'll also meet the students, philosophers, and statesmen who, in their own ways, contributed to the millennia-long story of this enduring book - by recording Confucian thought, critiquing it, building on it, pillorying it, and resurrecting it for the modern age. As with all great philosophical experiences, the Analects is a work whose intellectual richness and insight remain with you long after you've heard the final passages. So, too, will these lectures, which will help internalize Confucian teachings - and make them work in your own life.
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Joshua Rigsby –
A fantastic primer for the ignorant Westerner like myself. I've read the Analects but struggled to make heads or tails of them despite knowing that they are integral to understanding Chinese philosophical traditions. This series of lectures helped a great deal. A fantastic primer for the ignorant Westerner like myself. I've read the Analects but struggled to make heads or tails of them despite knowing that they are integral to understanding Chinese philosophical traditions. This series of lectures helped a great deal.
Juan Rivera –
For Westerners who have read the Analects of Confucius for sure, we have found a set of sayings without much coherence. I read them twice and I did not have much left. However, the course "Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius produced" by The Great Courses with Professor Robert André LaFleur; Has opened my eyes a little more. Confucius is a character who has influenced the way of being Chinese for 2,500 years. Neither the wars between the kingdoms nor even the communist revolution have man For Westerners who have read the Analects of Confucius for sure, we have found a set of sayings without much coherence. I read them twice and I did not have much left. However, the course "Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius produced" by The Great Courses with Professor Robert André LaFleur; Has opened my eyes a little more. Confucius is a character who has influenced the way of being Chinese for 2,500 years. Neither the wars between the kingdoms nor even the communist revolution have managed to eliminate this philosophy. Confucius was not a God, he was a man (probably a teacher) who taught the best way to live in society, to relate to one another. Perhaps their ways of thinking about the family (authoritarian and monolithic) are no longer very practicable today, but others do. On the other hand, their teachings are very valuable and even today they are an important part of Chinese culture, so it is worth reading and learning from them. However between Taoism and the philosophy of Confucius I prefer Taoism: Intuition, freedom to be who you are, spontaneity. Contrary to living certain social norms and in a certain way .... Maybe that's why I do not shine much in society .... jejeje
SP –
Excellent introduction to the Analects. Robert LaFleur does a great job of pulling out the threads of Confucian thought, which would so dominate Chinese culture for over 2,000 years. Recommended for anyone with an interest in ancient China.
Ryan Patrick –
A fine approach to the Analects and its core ideas. LaFleur really emphasizes the teaching dynamic built into this text (i.e. the best way to read it is to see a teacher teaching his students). He also covers the afterlife of the Analects while discussing the development of Confucianism (and Neo-Confucianism) through the centuries of Chinese history.
AP –
Impressive scholarship. The lectures synthesize thousands of years of scholarship on The Analects. I especially appreciated how Prof Lafleur incorporated the work of an earlier French anthopologist, Genet (sp). I will need to read The Analects, listen to this lecture series again.
Victor Negut –
Wonderfully done. This is perfect for preparing the reader for the Analects. Without it I might find the Analects interesting but I certainly would have lost most of the message since I am not familiar with the nuances of that world and era.
Jeff –
Solid introduction and good pacing. Concept ordering was good though the section covering Mencius fell a bit flat.
Walter –
An excellent introduction. Gives a lot of background on the book, the underlying principles and the history of its profound impact on East Asian history and culture. I give it 4 stars because it skirts some of the contemporary criticism of Confucianism's basic principles, particularly those from a feminist perspective. An excellent introduction. Gives a lot of background on the book, the underlying principles and the history of its profound impact on East Asian history and culture. I give it 4 stars because it skirts some of the contemporary criticism of Confucianism's basic principles, particularly those from a feminist perspective.
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