About the Book
Across a set of three volumes spanning more than three thousand years, this is a survey of thinkers central to the development of philosophical thought in China.
The first volume offers a new narrative of the early development of Chinese philosophy prior to the introduction of Buddhism. It discusses the multiple origins of Chinese thought, key thinkers and writings of the classical period, and the formation of early imperial philosophy during the Han dynasty period. This book uncovers ancient Chinese women philosophers and independent Han thinkers, ancient philosophies of economy and of literature, Chinese political realism and millenarianism, as well as the philosophy of the excavated bamboo manuscripts, thereby filling numerous gaps in the existing histories of classical Chinese philosophy.
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Introduction, Selusi Ambrogio and Dawid Rogacz
1. Methodological Concerns in Studying Chinese Philosophy, Jana S. Rošker
2. Patterns of Thought in the Chinese Bronze Age, Paul R. Goldin
3. Early Economic, Diplomatic, and Military Thought in China
Ancient Chinese Economic Thought, Yang Fu
War and Peace: Eastern Zhou Diplomatic and Military Thought, Yuri Pines
4. Confucius and the Analects, Ni Peimin
5. Mo Di and the Mohist Line of Thought, Loy Hui-Chieh
6. Laozi's Daodejing and the Early Lines of His Dao, Thomas Michael
7. Early Chinese Political Realists: From Shen Buhai to Han Fei, Eirik L. Harris
8. Returning to the Root: The Mengzi, Daxue, and Zhongyong, Seth Robertson
9. The Line of Names and the Question of Chinese Logic
The Line of Names (mingjia), Fung Yiu-ming
Mohist Canons and the Question of Chinese Logic, Thierry Lucas
10. Xunzi: How Could Nature Be Bad, Winnie H.C. Sung
11. Zhuangzi, Mercedes Valmisa
12. Minor Lines, Early Syncretisms, and the Philosophy of the Excavated Bamboo Manuscripts, Franklin Perkins
13. Philosophy of Change: From the Lines of Yin-yang to Imperial Yijing Commentaries, Hon Tze-ki
14. New Text Confucianism, Alexus McLeod
15. One But Many: On the Popularity and Diversity of the Dao in the Former Han Dynasty, Paul van Els
16. Independent Han Thinkers, Alexus McLeod
17. Ancient Chinese Aesthetics and Philosophy of Literature
Ancient Chinese Philosophy of Literature, Xiang Shuchen
Music, Sound, and Heart in Early Chinese Philosophical Discourse, Hanna Kups
18. Women and Gender in Ancient Chinese Philosophy, Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee
19. Qingtan and Xuanxue, David Chai
20. The Masters of Dao in Search for Immortality and Liberation
Liezi and Ge Hong on Daoist Spirit Liberation, Longevity, and Immortality, Thomas Michael
The Scripture of Supreme Peace and Daoist Millenarianism, Barbara Hendrischke
Notes on Contributors
Index
About the Author :
Selusi Ambrogio is Assistant Professor of Chinese Philosophy and Chinese Literature at the University of Macerata, Italy. He is the author of Chinese and Indian Ways of Thinking in Early Modern European Philosophy (Bloomsbury, 2020), President of the European Association for Chinese Philosophy, and Editorial Board member of the journal Asian Studies.
Review :
These three volumes present an outstanding set of essays by globally renowned scholars that offer an invaluable introduction to the breadth, depth, insight, and wisdom of Chinese philosophical traditions. Its broad coverage of schools and thinkers, comprehensive historical range, and attention to issues such as methodology as well as views concerning the nature and writing of history distinguish it as a unique and indispensable resource for anyone interested in the legacy, contemporary state, and future potential of Chinese philosophical reflection.
For its temporal span, its conceptual richness, and the impressive list of contributors, Chinese Philosophy and Its Thinkers will certainly prove itself to be a trove of indispensable scholarly tools for those interested in studying and teaching Chinese philosophy. What a precious reference work for students at all level of training, as well as for philosophers interested in approaching Chinese thoughts from a plurality of methodological and historical perspectives.
This inspiring and labor-extensive trilogy unlocks those broad, complex, and captivating problems, issues, scales and gazes to engage in Chinese philosophy in particular, nevertheless philosophy in general for a deeper knowledge, reflection and discernment.
This impressive collection is the most comprehensive work in English on the history of Chinese philosophy. In three volumes, its broad range covers ideas and thinkers from ancient times to the present day. Highly recommended for experts and neophytes alike!
