HISTORY OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIONS 2

The course examines the religious and intellectual history of China from the Middle Ages to the modern era, with particular attention to the formation of Neo-Confucianism and traditional cosmological conceptions. Through these topics, the course provides tools for understanding the evolution of Chinese thought and its influence on society. It is part of the China curriculum within the degree program in Languages, Cultures, and Societies of Asia and the Mediterranean Africa, and it contributes to the educational objectives in the area of humanistic cultural competences.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the historical and intellectual development of Chinese religious traditions from the Middle Ages to the modern era;
2. Analyze the formation and dissemination of Neo-Confucianism, assessing its impact on society, ethics, and the worldview of imperial China;
3. Interpret the main traditional cosmological conceptions and understand their role within systems of thought and religious practices;
4. Identify, select, and critically analyze relevant sources and study materials — including books, academic journals, primary texts, and digital resources — related to the topics covered in the course.

Students must have passed the exam History of Chinese Philosophy and Religions 1 [LT0470].
They must also have a good knowledge of the history of thought and culture of China during the imperial period.

The course examines the evolution of Chinese religious and philosophical thought from the Middle Ages to the modern era, with particular attention to the formation of Neo-Confucianism, its dialogue with Buddhism, and cosmological conceptions. Through the reading and analysis of critical studies, the course explores the relationships between moral doctrine, cosmology, and the legitimation of power within the Chinese intellectual tradition.

Required texts:
A. Cheng, A. Storia del pensiero cinese, vol.2, Einaudi, Torino 2000
B. Tze-ki Hon, The Yijing and Chinese Politics, State Un. of NY Press, Albany, 2005

Supplementary readings:
C. Wing-Tsit Chan, “Neo-Confucianism: New Ideas in Old Terminology”, Philosophy East and West, Vol. 17, No. 1/4 (Jan.-Oct., 1967), pp. 15-35.
D. Fu, Charles Wei-Hsun, “Morality or Beyond: The Neo-Confucian Confrontation with Mahāyāna Buddhism”, Philosophy East and West, 1973(23), 3: 375-396.
E. Gu, Ming Dong, “The Taiji Diagram: A Meta-sign in Chinese Thought”, Journal of Chinese Philosophy, 2003(30), 2:195-218.
F. Wang, R.R., “Zhou Dunyi's Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate Explained (“Taijitu shuo”): A Construction of the Confucian Metaphysics”, Journal of the History of Ideas, 2005(66),3: 307-323.

The final exam will consist of a written test, which includes multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

written

The assessment system, applicable to both attending and non-attending students, is based on the level of analytical ability and understanding of concepts in Chinese religious and philosophical thought.

Lectures. Reading and supplementary materials will be made available on the course’s Moodle platform.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development