Understanding Confucian Philosophy: Classical and Sung-Ming

by Shu-hsien Liu

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313301544
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/17/1998
Series:	Contributions in Philosophy , #61
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

SHU-HSIEN LIU is Chair Professor of Chinese Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has published many articles and books both in English and in Chinese. He has been widely recognized as a representative of contemporary Neo-Confucianism.

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

Editorial Reviews

Liu (Chinese philosophy, Chinese U. of Hong Kong) alerts western scholars to the transformation of Confucian thought since the People's Republic designated Contemporary Neo-Confucians as a concentrated area for national research. What is usually received here, he says, are the classical traditions preserved in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas colonies since the revolution. After reviewing the classical philosophy, he discusses the features and contemporary significance of the revived movement that began in the tenth century, including looks at Chu Hsi, Wang Yang-ming, and Huang Tsung-hsi. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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