Unit 8
This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.
— Lin Yutang
The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.
— Kakuzo Okakura
Unit Goals
After learning the unit, students are expected to be able
·to know some great masters in Asian literary field,
·to better understand cultural communication between the East and the West,
·to enlarge English vocabulary and reinforce grammatical knowledge, and
·to improve language proficiency and critical thinking through the content of this unit.
Before You Read
1.Confucianism and Taoism are two of the most influential philosophies in China.Read the following statements, mark Confucian ideas with C and Taoist beliefs with T.
_____ Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
_____ Life comes from the earth and life returns to the earth.
_____ A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
_____ By nature men are similar; by practice men are wide apart.
_____ He who is contented is rich.
_____ Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
2.Share your ideas on the following with your team members.
1) What are some of the major differences between Oriental culture and Occidental culture?
2) What attitude do you hold towards cultural differences between the East and the West?
3) What ways would you propose to promote the communication between the East and the West?
Start to Read