Neo Confucian Ethics & Metaphysics

In this lecture, Prof Van Norden explains mature Neo-Confucian metaphysics and ethics.

The Previous Lecture, "The Confucian Critique of Buddhism," is here:    • The Confucian Critique of Buddhism  
The Following Lecture, "The Confucian Commentarial Tradition," is here:    • The Confucian Commentarial Tradition  
The interview Prof Van Norden refers to that discusses Śantideva, Hume, Plato, Mengzi, and Zhuangzi is here: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/worl...

Part 1 of the lecture surveys the historical background leading up to Song Dynasty Neo-Confucianism.
0:51 Some Early Chinese Dynasties
5:06 Differences between Confucianism and Buddhism
7:13 The Development of Buddhist Philosophy
11:47 Ethical Implications of Buddhist Metaphysics
13:32 Han Yu and Confucian Critiques of Buddhism

Part 2 explains the metaphysics of Pattern and QI and its associated ethics.
16:22 Major Figures of Song Neo-Confucianism
18:40 Metaphysics of Pattern and Qi
31:42 Ethical Implications of Neo-Confucian Metaphysics

Part 3 surveys the distinctive contributions of the seminal philosopher Zhu Xi.
38:27 Zhu Xi’s Contributions
45:55 The Four Books
49:19 Ethical Cultivation
57:33 The Influence of Zhu Xi and His Advice to Students

Recorded on Zoom on 12 April 2021.