What is the Confucian ideal for individual and political life?

1. What is the Confucian ideal for individual and political life? How do we become the kind of people who live well? What does a good ruler look like and what role do laws play in good government? Is this a good way to think about societal structure? Why or why not? 2. What is the Dao and what are the principles of Ying and Yang? How does an understanding of these concepts lead us to live according to the principle of wuwei? What does the ideal Daoist political state look like? What do you find attractive or unattractive about this view? 3. Explain how Zen calls us to live in the present moment. How does this relate to the ancient Buddhist idea of anatman? What are the principles of Not-Two and Not-One, especially in the context of the I vs Other distinction? Do you find this to be a useful set of suggestions? Why or why not? 4. Ibn al’Arabi appears to defend a form of Sufism that is panentheistic. What does he say about the relationship between human actions and experiences, and the Divine Being? How does this insight shape al’Arabi’s views about marriage and hell? Briefly describe one thing that you find attractive about the Sufi tradition and one thing you find problematic.