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Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius
- Narrated by: Professor Robert André LaFleur The University of Chicago
- Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
- Lecture
- Release date: 12-09-16
- Language: English
- Publisher: The Great Courses
Regular price: $34.95
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Publisher's Summary
Compiled centuries before the birth of Jesus, the Analects of Confucius is anything but dry ancient philosophy. Many of its passages hold the same power as any great Socratic dialogue. Which makes trying to get to the heart of the Analects - and its importance - a challenging and undeniably exciting intellectual pursuit.
With these 24 accessible lectures, enjoy an adventurous exploration of one of the world's most important philosophical texts. Filled with rich historical context, detailed close readings of key passages, expert interpretations of larger cultural trends, and stories of Confucius and his most notable students (and critics), these lectures are required learning for anyone who wants a solid understanding of Eastern philosophy - and the ways a single book can cross cultures and go on to inspire an entire world.
After grounding your approach to the Analects with a look at what we know (and don't know) about Confucius' life, career, and teaching philosophy, you'll examine some of the book's most powerful, central themes. Among these are remonstrance (an idea at the heart of Chinese social and political life) and effective rule (which, for Confucius, required a grounding in morality and integrity).
As you illuminate your understanding of key passages in the Analects, you'll also meet the students, philosophers, and statesmen who, in their own ways, contributed to the millennia-long story of this enduring book - by recording Confucian thought, critiquing it, building on it, pillorying it, and resurrecting it for the modern age.
As with all great philosophical experiences, the Analects is a work whose intellectual richness and insight remain with you long after you've heard the final passages. So, too, will these lectures, which will help internalize Confucian teachings - and make them work in your own life.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What members say
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- dean
- 03-23-17
Weak content
This audiobook is like listening to a giant table of contents. After a while I skipped around to find real content from Confucius, but it is scarce. There is more content on my Zen calendar daily sayings.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 01-17-17
Not very good....
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
No. Surprisingly little coverage of the actual Analects of Confucius. Not sure what the real goal of the lecture series was, very meandering.
Would you recommend Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius to your friends? Why or why not?
No.
What didn’t you like about Professor Robert André LaFleur’s performance?
Delivery was meandering and self-indulgent. Too many tangents which did little to help me understand the source material. Professor was more interested in telling his favorite stories than providing analysis of the text itself.
Was Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius worth the listening time?
No. Would not listen to again.
Any additional comments?
Should not be titled "Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius" when relatively little of the lecture series is dedicated to study of the book itself. Archaeology stories related to different historical texts, uninteresting anecdotes from years as a teacher, travelogue, etc. Would be better if it was called "My playful musings and favorite stories after years of teaching and researching Chinese history". At least then I would have skipped it.
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mat
- 11-24-17
More a course on Confucianism then the analects
Great course that makes Confucianism accessible. I was expecting more on the text itself. Overall worth it.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marcielle Brandler
- 11-07-17
I misunderstood the premise for this book
I thought I was going to be listening to the actual The Analects of Confucius and
not a discussion about the work.
That is frustrating.
If the "great books' series is just that, then I am not interested.
I want the original pieces.
It was well done, must not what I had wanted.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Walker
- 04-06-17
Wisdom
Comprehensive, cultural and practical. I hope i will not need a coffin in practicing remonstrance.
Dr. LaFleur caught a big trend with his observations about the ultimate fate of China. It can almost be plotted from the past to the future. It has yet to rise to the summit. Excellent.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 02-21-17
Very inspiring Confucius learning
I loved this lecture series so much that I plan to listen to this a few more times. I have learned to distinguish false critics and blame on Confucius teaching for the backwardness in Vietnamese social progress in the 20th century.
I truly appreciate how Professor clarifies genuine Confucius teaching of life long learning and how his teaching is still very relevant today.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 02-16-18
A Truly Enlightening, Engaging Intro
I am incredibly glad I listened to this course before picking up the Analects! It gave me much more insight into the text itself and the scope of it's impact on China as a whole.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Grady
- 07-31-17
Somethings never change.
As I go through the series of Books That Matter, I realize we have not changed that much in over 2500 years.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Plutarch
- 03-03-17
A Great Intro to Confucian Thought
The lecturer has a great voice, a string command of metaphors and really knows his shit. One of the best lectures I've gotten from the great books series and I've gone through almost over ten now. Highly recommended.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Sean
- 12-02-17
Analects translated
Where are the analects in full? I bought them separately but they could have been added to the PDF file as translated by Professor LaFleur.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful