Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles
In early China and ancient Greece, self-cultivation was considered crucial for leading a flourishing, fulfilled life. In this cross-cultural study, David Machek presents and interprets six influential Greek and Chinese self-cultivation theories advocated by Mengzi, Zhuangzi and Xunzi, as well as Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics, in order to put forward the overarching narrative that self-cultivation amounts to strengthening the best part of the human self – the heart in the Chinese context, and the mind in the Greek context.

Advancing new readings of classic texts, Machek shows that Greek approaches to self-cultivation privilege intellectual pursuits, while Chinese approaches give more weight to non-intellectual activities, such as learning manual crafts and performing rituals. He also demonstrates how both ancient traditions understand the self as a heterogeneous community of organic entities, each needing different provisions to flourish, which aligns the ancient Greek view closer to the early Chinese view. As such, this book reinforces the underlying structural and conceptual similarities between the two traditions and makes an important contribution to diversifying philosophical conversations.
1147046664
Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles
In early China and ancient Greece, self-cultivation was considered crucial for leading a flourishing, fulfilled life. In this cross-cultural study, David Machek presents and interprets six influential Greek and Chinese self-cultivation theories advocated by Mengzi, Zhuangzi and Xunzi, as well as Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics, in order to put forward the overarching narrative that self-cultivation amounts to strengthening the best part of the human self – the heart in the Chinese context, and the mind in the Greek context.

Advancing new readings of classic texts, Machek shows that Greek approaches to self-cultivation privilege intellectual pursuits, while Chinese approaches give more weight to non-intellectual activities, such as learning manual crafts and performing rituals. He also demonstrates how both ancient traditions understand the self as a heterogeneous community of organic entities, each needing different provisions to flourish, which aligns the ancient Greek view closer to the early Chinese view. As such, this book reinforces the underlying structural and conceptual similarities between the two traditions and makes an important contribution to diversifying philosophical conversations.
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Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles

Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles

by David Machek
Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles

Self-Cultivation in Chinese and Greco-Roman Philosophy: Nourishing the Heart/Mind and Playing Roles

by David Machek

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Overview

In early China and ancient Greece, self-cultivation was considered crucial for leading a flourishing, fulfilled life. In this cross-cultural study, David Machek presents and interprets six influential Greek and Chinese self-cultivation theories advocated by Mengzi, Zhuangzi and Xunzi, as well as Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics, in order to put forward the overarching narrative that self-cultivation amounts to strengthening the best part of the human self – the heart in the Chinese context, and the mind in the Greek context.

Advancing new readings of classic texts, Machek shows that Greek approaches to self-cultivation privilege intellectual pursuits, while Chinese approaches give more weight to non-intellectual activities, such as learning manual crafts and performing rituals. He also demonstrates how both ancient traditions understand the self as a heterogeneous community of organic entities, each needing different provisions to flourish, which aligns the ancient Greek view closer to the early Chinese view. As such, this book reinforces the underlying structural and conceptual similarities between the two traditions and makes an important contribution to diversifying philosophical conversations.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781350267169
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date: 05/15/2025
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 256
File size: 630 KB

About the Author

David Machek is Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Bern, Switzerland.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part One: Nourishing the Heart in Early China
1. Mengzi on Nourishing the Heart by Curbing the Desires of the Senses
2. Zhuangzi on Nourishing the Heart by “Heart Fasting”
3. Xunzi on Nourishing the Heart by Clear Distinctions

Part Two: Nurturing the Mind in Ancient Greece
4. Plato: Nurturing the Mind by Turning the Soul Around
5. Aristotle: Nurturing the Mind by Pleasure and Pain
6. Stoics: Nurturing the Mind by Resisting Bad Thoughts
Conclusion

Notes
Bibliography
Index
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