Intro-Ch. 2
The paradox of "trying not to try" is the paradox of this.
What is wu-wei? (I'll accept de too)
What is li?
This thinker who Slingerland compares to The Dude (The Big Lebowski) is probably his favorite of the bunch.
Who is Zhuangzi?
This psychological concept is another word for what is called "being in the zone" and losing oneself in an activity, such that there is an ideal alliance of skill and challenge, followed by an experience of joy. It makes a perfect analogy (as part of a skill/virtue analogy) to wu-wei.
What are village poseurs or thieves of de?
"Letting go" of distinctions is quite different from moving away from them, or retreating from civilization in order to go home. While Zhuangzi is more about "letting go" and settling into full presence, this other thinker believed more in retreating to a more primitive environment.
Who is Laozi?
Confucius embraced this foundational virtue, and exemplary leaders must possess it for Confucians in general. It can be translated as humaneness, benevolence, compassion, and other closely-tied virtues.
What is Ren?
This butcher comes into the text a few times, demonstrating wu-wei with his ability to make perfect cuts in an ox without waste (not even wasting the sharpness of the blade).
This is what the story of "the man of Song" is meant to criticize.
What is those who try to either force the process of cultivating sprouts (Mohists) and those who fail to take care of them (Daoists)? (Especially against Mohists)
This is how sincerity is tied to wu-wei.
What is: you can only achieve de if you are sincerely committed to the Way (Dao)? Also, sincerity is something that can easily be faked (as in the village poseur), although there are ways we can pick up insincerity by checking on the hot cognition reactions? Others, too...
This type of ethical approach (in the West and East) is concerned with cultivating our hot cognition to align with our cold cognition. Another way to put it is that desire is trained, not merely embraced or restrained. Confucius and Mencius fit this tradition in TNT, and Aristotle notably fits it in the West.
What is virtue ethics?
Using the sprout analogy, this is one way we could describe Mencius' approach.
Differs. As long as the careful and patient cultivation process of the delicate sprout is included.
In much of contemporary Chinese thought (and Americanized versions of Daoism), we see more on this embracing and cultivating of our vitality as discussed by Zhuangzi. I.e., we cultivate our ____.
What is cultivation of qi?
These are 2 (or more) distinctions between skills and virtues. (Either Slingerland or your own memory of this will do)
What is you can fake virtue (but not skill, generally) and virtues require sincerity; virtues center on who you are (not just what you do), as they largely define you as a person; virtues are about inner-states and not just behaviors; many more from previous classes...
This is the "noble savage" interpretation of early Daoism, as well as its problems.
What is that we are born inherently good and were consequently tainted by society? Also, what is "there is insufficient evidence that this is the case?"
Mencius is said to take insights from both Laozi and Confucius (as many Neo-Confucians are apt to as well). This is why.
What is: Mencius does think that effort in cultivation is necessary (Confucians), but not as much, due to our inherently good natures (Daoists)? (Difference between him and Daoists is that we have the potential for goodness in our nature, not actual goodness inborn with us).
This is one major reason why Zhuangzi is different from Laozi.
What is: Zhuangzi thinks that rejecting the artificial world for a 'better', more natural one still forces distinctions between right and wrong? (others possible)
Who would best fit either a village poseur or Zhuangzian sage to you right now? Explain why.
Answer differs