Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy"This book is an introduction in the very best sense of the word. It provides the beginner with an accurate, sophisticated, yet accessible account, and offers new insights and challenging perspectives to those who have more specialized knowledge. Focusing on the period in Chinese philosophy that is surely most easily approachable and perhaps is most important, it ranges over of rich set of competing options. It also, with admirable self-consciousness, presents a number of daring attempts to relate those options to philosophical figures and movements from the West. I recommend it very highly." --Lee H. Yearley, Stanford University "This book on philosophers who arose in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty is also an introduction to comparative ways of nonsuperficial thinking both within Chinese tradition and between Chinese tradition and the West. . . . The work is carefully detailed at every philosophically interesting turn, providing, e.g., a detailed discussion of mysticism that does not conflate traditions but sees distinctiveness. Throughout there are translations of technical terms, along with both pinyin and Chinese characters. Chapters conclude with well-crafted review questions. . . . Appendixes on hermeneutics, Chinese language, and the Kongzi are very useful. Summing up: Highly recommended." --F. J. Hoffman, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, in Choice "Van Norden's book is a very good introduction to the classical Chinese thinkers, especially for those interested in the Chinese-Western comparative approach. It is much stronger on the Confucians (especially Mengzi and Xunzi), Mozi, and the school of names than on the Daoists, and I highly recommend it as an introductory text for further study in Confucianism." --Alexus McLeod, University of Dayton, in Dao |
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Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy Bryan W. Van Norden,Bryan William Van Norden No preview available - 2011 |