Zoom: https://umac.zoom.us/j/94306339056 Abstract In the last century, Western jargon and methodologies have overwhelmed the study of early Chinese texts. In an attempt to somewhat redress the balance, this paper retrieves a core notion from the Zhuangzi, “disputation” or “distinctions” (bian), to reflect upon a contemporary Western debate, namely about the exclusion of non-Western sources at philosophy departments. The detailed analysis of one anecdote about two states fighting each other on the horns of a snail leads to a view on disputation and its limits. By applying these insights to the “legitimacy of Chinese philosophy” debate, the Zhuangzi can inspire insights and attitudes that tend to be overlooked.

Zoom: https://umac.zoom.us/j/94032576989 Abstract In this lecture I will address problems encountered by Western scholars working in the field of Chinese philosophy. The lecture will begin with a discussion of cross-cultural and transcultural methods, and will highlight some of the most common problems encountered in traditional cross-cultural comparisons. On this basis, I will propose a new post-comparative approach. I propose the use of a new method, which I tentatively call sublation. The operation of this method will be demonstrated by a contrastive analysis of the "Flying arrow problem" as interpreted in Zeno of Elea and Hui Shi, respectively.