A Practical Guide for Every Day – The Art of Living from the Confucian Tradition

Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the Han dynasty, ‘Confucianism’ was adopted as the underlying ideology for imperial rule and family order. Throughout China’s history, Confucianism has been challenged, reinterpreted, and appropriated. From the 20th century, after a period of disfavour, politicians and educationalists in China are once again turning to Confucianism for guidance.

In order to understand what Confucianism is, SACU is pleased that experts Dr Katherine Ngo and Dr Kelly Ngo, from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, will be running a series of seminars for us in 2025, our 60th year.

The seminar series will run monthly on the third Thursday of each month at 7.00-8.00pm UK time in blocks of three seminars with a month’s break between each block.

Each lecture will be approximately 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes for discussion. Just before each seminar, a Zoom meeting link will be sent to those that have registered via Eventbrite. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions using the Zoom chat function so that the speakers can respond to as many points as possible.

Sign up is by Eventbrite [links below].

This seminar series is now open to all. We invite attendees to join SACU here

Introduction to series

Confucius was described as open-minded, flexible, without ego and conjecture in his daily life.1 This series of lectures takes inspiration from the importance of everyday interactions and events in achieving Confucian virtuosity. Harnessing the cultural resources of the Confucian tradition in day-to-day experiences has the potential to improve the quality of our lives and those around us. Embedded in common civilities are ancient ideas of propriety. Propriety in roles and relations (li 禮) is the integration of an outer practical dimension with the related inner attitude – linking thoughts, words, and conduct. Drawing from the exemplary life and perspectives of Confucius as well as early Confucian sources, the theory and practice of such social living will be discussed in relation to modern life. This practical philosophy will be illuminated through lived examples in historical anecdotes.

1 Roger T. Ames, A Sourcebook in Classical Confucian Philosophy 先秦儒家哲学文献译解 (New York: State University of New York Press, 2023), 372.

 

Series one – How to live: A Confucian guide to our daily roles

Lecture 1. How to live: A Confucian guide to our daily roles – 16 January
Lecture 2. How to overcome the generation gap: A Confucian guide to home life – 20 February
Lecture 3. How to speak well: A Confucian guide to conversation – 20 March

Series two – Making friends and entertaining: May, June, July

Lecture 4. How to win friends: A Confucian guide to friendship
Thursday 15 May, 7.00-8.00pm, Book by Eventbrite here

Lecture 5. How to eat: A Confucian guide to dining together
Thursday 19 June, 7.00-8.00pm, Book by Eventbrite here

Lecture 6. How to entertain: A Confucian guide to being the host or guest
Thursday 17 July, 7.00-8.00pm, Book by Eventbrite here

Series three – In the world of work and study: September, October, November 2025 (tbc)

Lecture 7. How to work together: A Confucian guide to workplace relations
Lecture 8. How to lead: A Confucian guide to wise leadership
Lecture 9. How to learn: A Confucian guide to studying

Series four – Public life and problem solving: January, February, March 2026 (tbc)

Lecture 10. How to be in public: A Confucian guide to public life
Lecture 11. How to be down to earth: A Confucian guide to humility
Lecture 12. How to solve problems: A Confucian guide to address disputes

Full details here

Photo credits: photos of Dr Katherine Ngo and Dr Kelly Ngo – Dr Katherine Ngo.
Other images: public domain