The "Duke of Qi" will preside over a court debate. He will consider the political situation of his kingdom, question the teachers who have come to persuade him to their approach to life and governance, and at the end retain someone to advise him. We will just pretend that all these people were living at the same time.
"Teachers/persuaders" should be familiar with their own approach to life and governance. They should also know enough about their competitors to anticipate attacks and defend their own positions.
Preparation: The assigned readings should provide adequate preparation. If you are enthusiastic, you can find other translations most of these philosophersí works in the library. If you are really into this, you might consider the styles of persuasion and courtly communication in use during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. For example, you might have a couple of good quotes from the Book of Song/Poetry up your sleeve. You might also try to get into character: Mozi might use a logical style of argument, Laozi might be poetic, Zhuangzi humorous.
Debate sign-up for Thursday, Sept. 16:
Duke of Qi : David Kwan
Confucius : Alicia Cassidy, Ann Irace
Mozi (Mo Tzu): Margaret Bethany
Laozi (Lao Tzu): Andrew Russell, Alison Uretsky
Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu): Pete Siuda
Mencius: Melissa Rocheleau, David Eber
Xunzi (Hsün Tzu): Cathy O'Keefe
Lord Shang (Gongsun Yang, Shang Yang): Ryan Winkleman
Han Feizi (Han Fei Tzu): Yen Huang
Li Si (Li Ssu): Eric Lam
Sunzi (Sun Tzu): Charlie Brown
Court Historian (has to cite precedent from the Zuozhuan, would need to look up more than just de Bary seclections):
Court Diviner (would need to really master the Yijing divining system, and use it in ways analogous to those shown in the Zuozhuan):