Exam 2: The Asian Sages: Lao-Tzu, Confucius, and Buddha

Lao-tzu was known only by his nickname.

Lao-tzu preached a doctrine without words.

Lao-tzu asks us to put aside our intuitions.

Yin is positive.

Do you believe that there are important elements of human experience that cannot be articulated in words? If so, do you think that such a failure would undermine any attempt to understand them? If not, why do you think that so many philosophers have believed that this is the case?

Confucius said that the intelligent go beyond the Way.

We should prefer Yin to Yang

Epictetus was a Stoic.

Confucius held high political office.

Which should we prefer, Yin or Yang, and why?

The Tao refers to

According to legend, how old was Lao-tzu when he resigned his position?

For Confucius, virtue is potent.

Do you think that it is possible to lead a fulfilling human life while being completely selfish? Explain your view, and show how it connects to the thought of Confucius.

Why do we suffer, according to Buddha?

A person who turns away from pleasure to find peace of mind is

The ancient sages were humanists.

The original meaning of the Buddha is

The Tao te Ching has the most number of English translations available of any book.

The traditional rules of conduct in war are termed the