Philosophy 7: Asian Philosophy (Fall 2019) Paper Guidelines 1 Paper #3: Chinese Philosophy You may choose to write about either Confucianism (A) or Daoism (B). (A) Confucianism: Kongzi (Confucius) or Mengzi (Mencius) Choose a passage from one of the primary Confucian texts that we read: The Analects or The Mengzi. Whatever you choose, you must confine your essay to one of our authors’ texts: either Confucius’ Analects or Mencius’ Mengzi. You may choose any passage you like but you may only write within the context of one of the two thinkers. and Analyze and explain it as thoroughly and precisely as you can, staying close to the text of the author you choose (using its terminology, following its reasoning, etc.). This point is important: refer to, quote, paraphrase, and cite Confucius’ or Mencius’ text—his words, his terms, his explanations, his examples, etc.—to aid your explanation of the idea. The closer you stay to the text, the clearer your explanation will be. (B) Daoism: Laozi or Zhuangzi Choose a passage from one of the primary Daoist texts that we read: The Daodejing or The Zhuangzi. Whatever you choose, you must confine your essay to one of our authors’ texts: either Laozi’s Daodejing or Zhuangzi’s Zhuangzi. You may choose any passage you like but you may only write within the context of one of the two thinkers. and Analyze and explain it as thoroughly and precisely as you can, staying close to the text of the author you choose (using its terminology, following its reasoning, etc.). This point is important: refer to, quote, paraphrase, and cite Laozi’s or Zhuangzi’s text—his words, his terms, his explanations, his examples, etc.—to aid your explanation of the idea. The closer you stay to the text, the clearer your explanation will be. Note on Daoism: Remember that these specific texts are notoriously opaque and mysterious, and their purpose seems to be, quite explicitly in some cases, to effect an experiential change in thinking on the part of the reader. So, if you choose this option, give yourself time to let the text affect you and wash over you. It is common that the sense of particular passages vacillates and shifts as one reads them again and again. So try— without trying, of course (i.e., in a wu wei fashion)—to give yourself ample room to maneuver within the text’s mysterious spaces, as Zhuangzi’s butcher’s blade maneuver’s freely within the heavenly contours of the ox’s carcass. Philosophy 7: Asian Philosophy (Fall 2019) Paper Guidelines 2 In these papers, I want you to try to capture the essence of what you choose. You might imagine that what you are trying to do is teach someone what passage means within the context of Confucianism or Daoism. I am looking for in-depth and detailed analysis/explanation. Paper Details Due Date SUNDAY, May 3rd on Canvas by MIDNIGHT Paper Length At least 3 full pages of text (“full” beginning ...

1. Philosophy 7: Asian Philosophy (Fall 2019)
Paper Guidelines
1
Paper #3: Chinese Philosophy
You may choose to write about either Confucianism (A) or
Daoism (B).
(A) Confucianism: Kongzi (Confucius) or Mengzi (Mencius)
Choose a passage from one of the primary Confucian texts that
we read: The Analects or
The Mengzi. Whatever you choose, you must confine your essay
to one of our authors’
texts: either Confucius’ Analects or Mencius’ Mengzi. You may
choose any passage you
like but you may only write within the context of one of the two
thinkers.
and
Analyze and explain it as thoroughly and precisely as you can,
staying close to the text
of the author you choose (using its terminology, following its
reasoning, etc.). This point
is important: refer to, quote, paraphrase, and cite Confucius’ or
Mencius’ text—his words, his
terms, his explanations, his examples, etc.—to aid your

2. explanation of the idea. The closer you
stay to the text, the clearer your explanation will be.
(B) Daoism: Laozi or Zhuangzi
Choose a passage from one of the primary Daoist texts that we
read: The Daodejing or
The Zhuangzi. Whatever you choose, you must confine your
essay to one of our authors’
texts: either Laozi’s Daodejing or Zhuangzi’s Zhuangzi. You
may choose any passage you
like but you may only write within the context of one of the two
thinkers.
and
Analyze and explain it as thoroughly and precisely as you can,
staying close to the text
of the author you choose (using its terminology, following its
reasoning, etc.). This point
is important: refer to, quote, paraphrase, and cite Laozi’s or
Zhuangzi’s text—his words, his
terms, his explanations, his examples, etc.—to aid your
explanation of the idea. The closer you
stay to the text, the clearer your explanation will be.
Note on Daoism: Remember that these specific texts are
notoriously opaque and
mysterious, and their purpose seems to be, quite explicitly in
some cases, to effect an
experiential change in thinking on the part of the reader. So, if
you choose this option, give
yourself time to let the text affect you and wash over you. It is
common that the sense of

3. particular passages vacillates and shifts as one reads them again
and again. So try—
without trying, of course (i.e., in a wu wei fashion)—to give
yourself ample room to
maneuver within the text’s mysterious spaces, as Zhuangzi’s
butcher’s blade
maneuver’s freely within the heavenly contours of the ox’s
carcass.
Philosophy 7: Asian Philosophy (Fall 2019)
Paper Guidelines
2
In these papers, I want you to try to capture the essence of what
you choose. You might
imagine that what you are trying to do is teach someone what
passage means within the
context of Confucianism or Daoism.
I am looking for in-depth and detailed analysis/explanation.
Paper Details
Due Date
SUNDAY, May 3rd on Canvas by MIDNIGHT
Paper Length
At least 3 full pages of text (“full” beginning from the place on

4. the page that your first
paragraph starts, not the top of the piece of paper). No more
than 4 pages.
Paper Format
Double-spaced
12-point font (use a standard font, of your choice, but nothing
difficult to read, please)
1” margins
Terminology
Philosophical writing generally assigns weight to technical
terms that are unique and
significant within that specific system or thinker’s texts (think
of Plato’s “Forms” or
Descartes’ “thinking thing”). The weight of terms/phrases like
“junzi,” “Ren,” and “De”
are essential to understanding Chinese philosophy, so make sure
you strive to use these
terms correctly, defining them when you introduce them, and—
overall—show
comprehension of the work they do within Confucian/Daoist
thought, generally, and
your passage, specifically.
Textual Evidence/Citations
I expect you to use the text, which means: offer quotes from the
text that support your
analysis/explanation. USE ONLY PRIMARY TEXT (i.e., no
material from introductions
or the chapter introductions). You are writing a text-based
analysis/explanation, and I
expect you to explain your passage with textual support from
other Confucian/Daoist
primary text.

5. *In the case you use them, know that foreign language terms are
always italicized (e.g.:
junzi, shu, De, ren, wu wei, Dao, etc.). AND please use the
Pinyin transliteration style (see
RCCP, or Google it).
Textual Evidence/Citations
I expect you to use the primary text, which means: offer quotes
from the original text (not
the introductions) that support your explanation. Please simply
cite parenthetically
within the body of your text (no footnotes), using the following
model:
Philosophy 7: Asian Philosophy (Fall 2019)
Paper Guidelines
3
For Confucius: (book #.chapter #) e.g.: (3.1)*
For Mencius: (book#part#chapter#) e.g.: (6B2)*
For Laozi (chapter #) e.g.: (41)
For Zhuangzi (chapter #, RCCP page #) e.g.: (2, 216).
*The text we are reading (RCCP) uses these forms, so if you get
confused, look there.

6. There is no need to include the book titles within you
parenthetical citations.
Since most students seem to be completely oblivious when it
comes to in-text,
parenthetical citations, here is a paradigm to follow, in terms of
grammar and
punctuation:
…Mencius argues, “Yeah, you would save that little kid, too”
(2A6). [not a real quote].
The quotation marks designate only the quoted text, and the
period goes at the end of
the sentence, after the parentheses. This is a rule that far too
many students do not know
and/or follow. (And periods and commas go inside double-
quotation marks).
**YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE OR CITE OUTSIDE
SOURCES**
Final Comments
I will be grading these papers with an eye toward their
presentation, which includes
grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, etc.
Likewise, I am looking for you to strive to articulate yourself
clearly and with precision.
Admittedly, this is not an easy task when it comes to
philosophical issues—it takes
practice and effort. I don’t expect any of you to be the next
Confucius, but I am looking to
see genuine effort to really grapple with the text, make
important connections, follow the
movement of its thinking, and attempt to offer an explanation

7. that goes beyond a
superficial reading.
The point of this assignment is to help you strive toward
comprehension of the
material. That begins with understanding what is being said in
the text you are
reading.
If you struggle with writing, seek help at the University Writing
Center:
https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/tutoring/writing
Make sure you hand in a proofread, polished, college-level
essay!
Good luck writing!
Rubic_Print_FormatCourse CodeClass CodeAssignment
TitleTotal PointsSOC-500SOC-500-O501Benchmark - Modern
Social Issue Paper150.0CriteriaPercentageUnsatisfactory
(0.00%)Less than Satisfactory (74.00%)Satisfactory
(79.00%)Good (87.00%)Excellent (100.00%)CommentsPoints
EarnedContent70.0%Explain how and why exchange, network,
and rational choice theories would each explain or account for a
chosen social issue. (C 2.2)35.0%Paper does not explain how
and why exchange, network, and rational choice theories would
each explain or account for a chosen social issue.Paper explains
how and why exchange, network, and rational choice theories
would each explain or account for a chosen social issue in a
cursory manner.Paper explains how and why exchange, network,
and rational choice theories would each explain or account for a
chosen social issue in a competent manner; demonstrates an
adequate understanding of the topic.Paper explains how and
why exchange, network, and rational choice theories would each

8. explain or account for a chosen social issue in a logical, well-
connected manner; demonstrates an analytical understanding of
the topic.Paper explains how and why exchange, network, and
rational choice theories would each explain or account for a
chosen social issue in an insightful and well-delineated manner;
demonstrates a commanding understanding of the topic.Describe
how the foundations and early inspiration for each theory might
play into how it interprets the social issue.25.0%Paper does not
describe how the foundations and early inspiration for each
theory might play into how it interprets the social issue.Paper
describes how the foundations and early inspiration for each
theory might play into how it interprets the social issue in a
cursory manner.Paper describes how the foundations and early
inspiration for each theory might play into how it interprets the
social issue in a competent manner; demonstrates an adequate
understanding of the topic.Paper describes how the foundations
and early inspiration for each theory might play into how it
interprets the social issue in a logical, well-connected manner;
demonstrates an analytical understanding of the topic.Paper
describes how the foundations and early inspiration for each
theory might play into how it interprets the social issue in an
insightful and well-delineated manner; demonstrates a
commanding understanding of the topic.Utilize the GCU Library
to locate four to five credible sources in support of the
content.10.0%No credible sources are cited.Some sources may
be cited but they are not credible.At least four credible sources
are cited in a loosely connected, vague way.At least four
credible sources are cited in a well-connected way and
elaborated on.At least four credible sources are cited and are
flawlessly integrated into the essay to support the claims made
therein.Organization & Effectiveness20.0%Thesis Development
and Purpose7.0%Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or
organizing claim.Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague.
Purpose is not clear.Thesis is apparent and appropriate to
purpose.Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the
paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and

9. appropriate to the purpose.Thesis is comprehensive and contains
the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of
the paper clear.Argument Logic and Construction8.0%Statement
of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion
does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and
uses noncredible sources.Sufficient justification of claims is
lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious
flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable
credibility.Argument is orderly, but may have a few
inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of
claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the
purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion
bracket the thesis.Argument shows logical progressions.
Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth
progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most
sources are authoritative.Clear and convincing argument that
presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling
manner. All sources are authoritative.Mechanics of Writing
(includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language
use)5.0%Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede
communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or
sentence construction is used.Frequent and repetitive
mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in
language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence
structure is correct but not varied.Some mechanical errors or
typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the
reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-
appropriate language are employed.Prose is largely free of
mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer
uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of
speech.Writer is clearly in command of standard, written,
academic English.Format10.0%Paper Format (use of appropriate
style for the major and assignment)5.0%Template is not used
appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed
correctly.Appropriate template is used, but some elements are
missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is

10. apparent.Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct,
although some minor errors may be present.Appropriate
template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in
formatting style.All format elements are correct.Documentation
of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc.,
as appropriate to assignment and style)5.0%Sources are not
documented.Documentation of sources is inconsistent or
incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous
formatting errors.Sources are documented, as appropriate to
assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be
present.Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment
and style, and format is mostly correct.Sources are completely
and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and
style, and format is free of error.Total Weightage100%