中国文化英语教程Unit2

会计学1中国文化英语教程中国文化英语教程Unit2第1页/共60页Unit 2 Laozis Philosophy of Non-action第2页/共60页Contentp Lead-inp Text studyp Exercises第3页/共60页Lead-in第4页/共60页p Introductionp Naturalness and Non-actionp The Philosophy of Non-contentionp Returning to Newborn StateText study第5页/共60页Introduction Laozi (about 571-471 BC), also called Laodan, surname Li, given name Ran and alias Boyang. He was a recluse (隐居者) who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was said to have once held a low civil position in the royal court, in charge of archival records of the Zhou Dynasty. Laozi第6页/共60页 Laozi was a man of great learning. Even Confucius was said to have traveled miles to consult him. Introduction第7页/共60页Additional InfoWhy is Li Ran known as Laozi rather than Lizi?There are two explanations as to the source of “Laozi”. Some say during the period when Li Ran was alive, Lao and Li were pronounced in the same way. So “Laozi” actually sounded the same as “Lizi” at that time. The second legend is that Li Ran was born with white eyebrow and white beard like an old man. Thus he was called “Laozi”.Introduction第8页/共60页The author is generally believed to be Laozi. It consists of just over 5,000 Chinese characters. Its 81 chapters are divided into two parts, Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue).IntroductionLaozi第9页/共60页It became the basis of Daoism, the school of philosophy parallel to Confucianism in ancient China.The thought of Laozi formed the foundation of Daoism, the most influential indigenous school of religion in China.IntroductionThe influence of Laozi第10页/共60页It also exerts a direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nation and is still playing a role in the development of Chinese thinking.Introduction第11页/共60页Famous versions of its translation include that of James Legge and that of Stephen Mitchell. Laozi in the world It is first introduced into Europe possibly as early as the 15th centuryIt has become one of the most translated philosophical works of ancient China.Additional InfoIntroduction第12页/共60页The core of Laozis philosophyMany of Laozis enlightening views are based on his philosophy of naturalness and non-action.Introduction第13页/共60页Naturalness and Non-actionNaturalness (顺应自然)Natural phenomena occur independently and naturally without following any human will, and humans should not try to change anything natural.第14页/共60页Naturalness and Non-action第15页/共60页 Non-action is the guarantee of “naturalness”.Non-action (无为)Naturalness and Non-action第16页/共60页 By saying “(Dao or the Way ) acts through non-action”, Laozi did not mean that one should do nothing and passively wait for something to be achieved. Neither did he deny human creativity. Naturalness and Non-action“(Dao or the Way ) acts through non-action (无为而无不为).” Selected from Laozi第17页/共60页“Great ingenuity appears to be stupidity (大智若愚).” Selected from LaoziHow do you understand this line? “Great ingenuity” refers to the highest level of ingenuity, arising so naturally that it does not resemble ingenuity at all. Ingenuity can be achieved through human effort, but “great ingenuity” is superior to ordinary ingenuity.Naturalness and Non-action第18页/共60页Deceit To Laozi, resorting to deceit is true futility and would accomplish just the opposite result. Those who intend to play tricks are not genuine and therefore are not natural. Deceit is detrimental to naturalness and to the harmony of life.Naturalness and Non-action第19页/共60页The Philosophy of Non-contentionOvercoming the strong by being weak第20页/共60页The Philosophy of Non-contention According to Laozi, war springs from humanitys bloated desires. Conflicts arises out of peoples struggle to satisfy their desires, and conflict escalates into war. Human striving and competitive strife is the root cause of decline; desiring nothing is the natural way of life. Therefore, Laozis philosophy is based on “non-contention”.第21页/共60页The Philosophy of Non-contention第22页/共60页“The greatest virtue is like water.” Laozi compared his philosophy of “non-contention” to water, to distinguish it from the law of jungle.The Philosophy of Non-contention“The greatest virtue is like water.”第23页/共60页 上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。 居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能，动善时，夫惟不争，故无尤。 老子八章Additional InfoThe Philosophy of Non-contention第24页/共60页上善若水，水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。Legge: The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.Additional InfoThe Philosophy of Non-contentionMitchell: The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao.第25页/共60页居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，事善能，动善时，Legge: The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in their being with the virtuous; that of government is in its securing good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness. Mitchell: In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, dont try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. The Philosophy of Non-contention第26页/共60页夫惟不争，故无尤。Legge: And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.Mitchell: When you are content to be simply yourself and dont compare or compete, everybody will respect you.The Philosophy of Non-contention第27页/共60页 The philosophy of Laozi is by no means weak. On the contrary, it is full of strength. Water is a typical example of the weak winning over the strong. Water is invincible because it desires nothing and contends for nothing.“Nothing in the world is weaker than water. Yet nothing is stronger than water when it comes to breaking something strong (天下莫柔弱于水，而攻坚强者莫之能胜。).” Selected from LaoziThe Philosophy of Non-contention第28页/共60页“人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。草木之生也柔弱，其死也枯槁。故坚强者死之徒，柔弱者生之徒。强大处下，柔弱处上。”(选自老子七十六章) Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and brittle; at their death, dry and withered. Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life. Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that of what is soft and weak is above.The Philosophy of Non-contentionAdditional Info第29页/共60页The Philosophy of Non-contention第30页/共60页Returning to a Newborn State Laozi saw the world as a madding crowd of vanity. He chose to live a simple, quiet life, and to keep his mind undisturbed in the face of temptation. He said he would rather remain a “newborn baby”.A newborn state第31页/共60页How do you understand Laozis “newborn baby” state? Returning to a Newborn StateThe state of the newborn is free of any knowledge, desire, impurity or falsehood. When human beings come into the world, the gradually acquire external knowledge and accept social norms. As humans mature, they become more and more hypocritical. The process of acculturation is the process of losing ones true self.第32页/共60页 This does not mean Laozi wanted to remain childishly ignorant. Laozis state of the newborn refers to “complete innocence”. Laozi believed that sagespeople with the highest virtueall resembled newborns. The highest level of ones cultivation was to return to the “complete innocence” of a newborn baby.Returning to a Newborn State第33页/共60页 To Laozi, civilization is to a certain degree a departure from the “true self”. The development of human culture is a process of “decoration”. Such “decorations” often turn into bloated desires. Desire-driven, human beings fight and deceive one another, leading to war.Returning to a Newborn State第34页/共60页 Desire disturbs peace of mind. If immersed in a sea of desire, in the end humans would be submerged.“Beautiful colors blind the eyes, complex music harms the ears, rich flavors numb taste, while riding and hunting madden the mind (五色令人目盲；五音令人耳聋；五味令人口爽；驰骋畋猎，令人心发狂。).” Selected from Laozi Bloated desire has damaged the external world as well as poisoned the human mind.Returning to a Newborn State第35页/共60页Returning to a Newborn State第36页/共60页Exercisesp Comprehensionp Communicationp Application第37页/共60页Comprehensionl. Skimming and Scanning Go through the passage quickly and judge whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage._ 1) Laozi is a lengthy book on the Way and Virtue, which has played an important role in Chinese culture._ 2) According to Laozis philosophy of naturalness, man should not attempt to manipulate nature._ 3) Laozis philosophy of non-action advocates humans act following the laws of nature .第38页/共60页_ 4) The story of a “useless tree” mentioned in Paragraph 7 mainly tells us that some living things in nature can survive others because of their naturalness._ 5) The philosophy of non-contention states that keeping mans desire avid can help resolve conflicts, thus avoiding wars._ 6) Laozis philosophy of “non-contention” is comparable to the law of the jungle.Comprehension第39页/共60页_ 7) According to Laozi, when it comes to breaking the strong, the strength of water is superior to anything else._ 8) The basic way to prosperity is to keep superior in every way._ 9) Laozi would rather remain a “newborn baby”, because it has nothing to worry about._ 10) According to Laozi, the process of a mans growing up is that of losing his true ego.Comprehension第40页/共60页Other name(s)Time of writingLengthSignificanceInternational influenceII. Careful Reading1. Read the first two paragraphs and fill in the following table with the information about the book Laozi.ComprehensionClassic of the Way and Virtue (Dao De Jing)Around the 6th century BCAbout 5,000 Chinese characters in 81 chaptersA direct impact on the characteristics, trends of thought, and aesthetic sensibilities of the Chinese nationFirst introduced into Europe as early as the 15th century and one of the most translated philosophical works of ancient China第41页/共60页2. Read the passage carefully and fill in the following blanks with the missing information.1) Laozis thought has a great influence on the , and of the Chinese people. 2) The examples of birds, fish, clouds and flowers are used to illustrate that_ .3) The difference between great ingenuity and ordinary ingenuity lies in the fact that _ _ _.Comprehensioncharacteristicstrends of thoughtaesthetic sensibilitieseverything in the worldhas its own way of being and development the latter can be achieved through human effort, but the former is superior to the latter第42页/共60页4) In order to become strong, one should instead of .6) The highest level of ones cultivation is to return to the state of a newborn baby, who is free of any knowledge, , _ .7) People fight and deceive one another out of .5) In Laozis opinion, is the symbol of life.8) According to the laws of nature, people should not the poor and the weak.Comprehensionstart with ones own weak pointsoppressing the weakfragilitydesireimpurity or falsehooddesireroboppress第43页/共60页1) 顺应自然。5) 不战而屈人之兵。2) 无为而无不为。3) 大巧若拙。4) 以柔弱胜刚强。Follow the way of nature.Act through non-action.Great ingenuity appears to be stupidity.Overcome the strong by being weak.Win a war without fighting it.3. Put each of the following into English and then compare your translation with that in the passage.Comprehension 6) 兼爱。Love for all.第44页/共60页7) 上善若水。8) 人往高处走，水往低处流。9) 无欲则刚。The greatest virtue is like water. Humans tend to seek higher positions while water always flows to lower places. One is invincible because he desires nothing and contends for nothing.10) 返璞归真。Return to the state of a newborn baby.Comprehension第45页/共60页1. Translate the following English sayings or proverbs into Chinese and then tell how they are related to Laozis philosophy.3) The drop of rains makes a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by the frequency of falling.1) Nature is conquered by obeying her.2) He that follows nature is never out of his way.顺应自然方能征服自然。按自然规律办事的人绝不会迷失方向。滴水穿石，非蛮力所致，皆因坚持不懈。Communication第46页/共60页2. Read the following lyrics to the song “Whatever will be” from the film The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Communication第47页/共60页Whatever Will BeWhatever will be, will be;The futures not ours to seeQue sera, sera,What will be, will be.”Now I have children of my ownThey ask their mother,What will I be?Will I be handsome?Will I be rich?“I tell them tenderly:Que sera, sera,Whatever will be, will be;The futures not ours to see.Que sera, sera,What will be, will be.Que sera, sera!第48页/共60页CommunicationQ1: Do you think the idea conveyed by the song has anything to do with Laozis philosophy? Q2: Do you agree or disagree with the idea? Q3: What is the role of human effort in resolving problems? Write an essay commenting on the idea conveyed by the song according to Laozis philosophy.第49页/共60页Application Dozens of websites nowadays offer essay writing services, which can help students with their studies. Students can get almost everything from tips on how to write an essay, right through to a full, model essay. However, some students are trying to download a model essay and pass it off as their own, which is actually called “plagiarism”. 第50页/共60页ApplicationQ1: According to Laozi, what kind of behavior is this? Q2: What consequence will such behavior lead to? An American once said ironically: “To copy one is plagiarism, but to copy many is doing research.” Q3: What shall we do to learn essay writing without plagiarizing? Discuss the above questions with your partner.第51页/共60页第52页/共60页Naturalness and Non-action第53页/共60页The Philosophy of Non-contentionOvercoming the strong by being weak第54页/共60页夫惟不争，故无尤。Legge: And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.Mitchell: When you are content to be simply yourself and dont compare or compete, everybody will respect you.The Philosophy of Non-contention第55页/共60页夫惟不争，故无尤。Legge: And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.Mitchell: When you are content to be simply yourself and dont compare or compete, everybody will respect you.The Philosophy of Non-contention第56页/共60页How do you understand Laozis “newborn baby” state? Returning to a Newborn StateThe state of the newborn is free of any knowledge, desire, impurity or falsehood. When human beings come into the world, the gradually acquire external knowledge and accept social norms. As humans mature, they become more and more hypocritical. The process of acculturation is the process of losing ones true self.第57页/共60页How do you understand Laozis “newborn baby” state? Returning to a Newborn StateThe state of the newborn is free of any knowledge, desire, impurity or falsehood. When human beings come into the world, the gradually acquire external knowledge and accept social norms. As humans mature, they become more and more hypocritical. The process of acculturation is the process of losing ones true self.第58页/共60页1) 顺应自然。5) 不战而屈人之兵。2) 无为而无不为。3) 大巧若拙。4) 以柔弱胜刚强。Follow the way of nature.Act through non-action.Great ingenuity appears to be stupidity.Overcome the strong by being weak.Win a war without fighting it.3. Put each of the following into English and then compare your translation with that in the passage.Comprehension 6) 兼爱。Love for all.第59页/共60页7) 上善若水。8) 人往高处走，水往低处流。9) 无欲则刚。The greatest virtue is like water. Humans tend to seek higher positions while water always flows to lower places. One is invincible because he desires nothing and contends for nothing.10) 返璞归真。Return to the state of a newborn baby.Comprehension第60页/共60页