Edward Slingerland, a philosopher and religious studies scholar at the University of British Columbia, dives into ancient Chinese philosophies like Confucianism and Daoism. They explore 'wu wei,' or effortless action, connecting it to modern concepts like flow. Slingerland contrasts the structured ethics of Confucius with Lao Tzu's spontaneity, discussing how these ideas influence creativity, social roles, and individual identity. The conversation also highlights the fascinating parallels between ancient wisdom and contemporary psychology.
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insights INSIGHT
Wu-wei and De
Wu-wei, or effortless action, is a central theme in early Chinese philosophy, especially for Confucians and Daoists.
This state, similar to "flow," is believed to bring success and power (de).
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mindball Paradox
Edward Slingerland describes playing Mindball, a game where relaxing helps push a ball with your mind using alpha and theta waves.
He lost because he started thinking about winning, highlighting the paradox of trying not to try.
insights INSIGHT
System One Ethics
Early Chinese philosophy, particularly virtue ethics, focuses on system one (intuitive) thinking.
This contrasts with Western deontology and utilitarianism, which rely on system two (cognitive control).
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The Zhuangzi is a compilation of writings attributed to Zhuang Zhou and his followers. It consists of 33 chapters, divided into 'Inner Chapters' (chapters 1-7), 'Outer Chapters' (chapters 8-22), and 'Miscellaneous Chapters' (chapters 23-33). The text advocates for embracing spontaneity, accepting the natural order of the universe (the Dao), and living a life free from the constraints of societal norms and conventions. It uses parables, anecdotes, and humorous stories to illustrate the arbitrariness of human distinctions and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Analects
Sarah Allan
Confucius
Arthur Waley
The Analects is a classic text that addresses practical issues of life and conduct through dialogues, stories, and anecdotes. Confucius's teachings focus on virtue, happiness, state governance, and human relationships, all based on principles of justice and moderation. Translated by Arthur Waley and introduced by Sarah Allan, this edition remains one of the most influential texts in philosophy even after two and a half millennia.
Tao te ching
Laozi
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].
Drunk
Edward Slingerland
Trying not to try
The Ancient Art of Effortlessness and the Surprising Power of Spontaneity
Edward Slingerland
Mencius
Mencius
The book 'Mencius' is one of the Chinese Thirteen Classics and consists of seven chapters. It presents Mencius's philosophical arguments through dialogues with other thinkers and rulers, focusing on the innate goodness of human nature, the four cardinal virtues (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom), and the importance of extending compassion and moral behavior. Mencius argues that humans have innate moral 'sprouts' that can be cultivated through education and self-discipline, and he advocates for benevolent governance and moral conduct over utilitarian or pragmatic considerations[3][4][5].
Xunzi
Xunzi
Xunzi
The Xunzi is a collection of writings attributed to Xunzi, a prominent Confucian philosopher who lived during the late Warring States period in ancient China. Unlike Mencius, who emphasized the inherent goodness of human nature, Xunzi argued that human nature is inherently selfish and prone to disorder. He believed that moral cultivation is essential for achieving social harmony and that this cultivation must come through rigorous self-discipline and adherence to social norms and rituals. Xunzi's philosophy emphasizes the importance of education, law, and social institutions in shaping human behavior and maintaining social order. His work offers a more pragmatic and less idealistic perspective on Confucianism than Mencius, highlighting the challenges of achieving moral perfection in a world of imperfect human beings.
Plato and Aristotle founded much of what we think of as Western philosophy during the fourth and fifth centuries BCE. Interestingly, that historical period also witnessed the foundation of some of the major schools of Chinese philosophy, especially Confucianism and Daoism. This is a long-overdue discussion of ancient Chinese ideas, featuring philosopher and religious-studies scholar Edward Slingerland. We talk about the relationship between these two schools of thought, and their differences and similarities with Western philosophy. One of the biggest ideas is wu wei, or “effortless action” — the way that true mastery consists of doing things without too much conscious control. Today we would call it “flow” or “being in the zone,” but the idea stretches back quite a ways.
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 
