Synopses & Reviews
Although Western interest in Chinese philosophy has been increasing in the last decade, the Confucian tradition is still often misunderstood. This volume offers the key to understanding Confucian philosophy by presenting a comprehensive account of its spiritual roots. The author focuses on the Classical and Sung-Ming periods, the two most important periods of Confucianism. Topics covered include: Confucius, Mencius, the I-Ching, and important figures from the Sung and Ming periods.
Review
...offers rich and deftly stated scholarship in readable language. Recommended for students and scholars of Chinese studies.Choice
Review
The work is original as well as superbly well-documented.... This is one of those rare cases in which one can only say that the author has succeeded--'spot on'--with focus, clarity, and intellectual rigor surpassing the vast majority of similar works in the field.Frank Hoffman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy West Chester University
Synopsis
A comprehensive account of the spiritual roots of Confucian philosophy from a contemporary Neo-Confucian perspective.
About the Author
SHU-HSIEN LIU is Chair Professor of Chinese Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Table of Contents
Preface
Classical Confucian Philosophy
The Background for the Emergence of Confucian Philosophy
Confucius
Mencius
The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean
The Book of Changes
The Transformation of Confucianism since Han Dynasty
Sung-Ming Neo-Confucian Philosophy
The Characteristics and Contemporary Significance of Sung-Ming Neo-Confucian Philosophy
On Chu Hsi's Search for Equilibrium and Harmony
Chu Hsi's Understanding of the Mind, the Nature and Feelings
The Problem of Orthodoxy in Neo-Confucian Philosophy
The Sources and the Proper Understanding of the Philosophy of Wang Yang-ming
The Last Neo-Confucian Philosopher: Huang Tsung-hsi
Epilogue
Selected Bibliography
Index