Group Work on The Way of Man, Tao Te Ching,  Plato’s Five Dialogues,  Nichomachean Ethics, and Analects

Break up into small groups. Delegate one or more members of your group to (1) prepare a summary of your group's discussion and (2) make a list of your group's members.
Make sure each member of your group has a copy of your answers (for use on the next quiz).

Discuss your answers to the following questions.

1. Compare Confucius, Aristotle, Lao Tzu, and Buber on overdoing it.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of their views?

2. Compare at least 3 of the thinkers we studied on what sages/philosophers should do when they find themselves in a corrupt society.   Which one seems most prudent?  Why?

3.  Compare the beginning of the Tao Te Ching to the beginning the Analects or to the beginning of The Way of Man According to the Teaching of Hasidim.    What does either (or what do both) suggest about how to live? 

Nov. 26, 2012; last edited on Nov. 30, 2016; revised Nov. 29, 2017
Michael Kagan , Le Moyne College,  
kagan@lemoyne.edu