The Art of Chinese Philosophy

Eight Classical Texts and How to Read Them

Paul Goldin

$145

Hardback

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English

Princeton University Press
07 April 2020

Philosophy; Oriental & Indian philosophy; History of ideas

"A smart and accessible introduction to the most important works of ancient Chinese philosophy-the Analects of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Sunzi, Xunzi, and Han FeiziThis book provides an unmatched introduction to eight of the most important works of classical Chinese philosophy-the Analects of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Sunzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi. Combining accessibility with the latest scholarship, Paul Goldin, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of Chinese philosophy, places these works in rich context as he explains the origin and meaning of their compelling ideas.

Because none of these classics was written in its current form by the author to whom it is attributed, the book begins by asking, ""What are we reading?"" and showing that understanding the textual history of the works enriches our appreciation of them. A chapter is devoted to each of the eight works, and the chapters are organized into three sections: ""Philosophy of Heaven,"" which looks at how the Analects, Mozi, and Mencius discuss, often skeptically, Heaven (tian) as a source of philosophical values; ""Philosophy of the Way,"" which addresses how Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Sunzi introduce the new concept of the Way (dao) to transcend the older paradigms; and ""Two Titans at the End of an Age,"" which examines how Xunzi and Han Feizi adapt the best ideas of the earlier thinkers for a coming imperial age.

In addition, the book presents clear and insightful explanations of the protean and frequently misunderstood concept of qi-and of a crucial characteristic of Chinese philosophy, nondeductive reasoning. The result is an invaluable account of an endlessly fascinating and influential philosophical tradition."

By: Paul Goldin
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780691200781
ISBN 10: 0691200785
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 07 April 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Paul R. Goldin is professor of East Asian languages and civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of many books, including Confucianism, After Confucius, and Rituals of the Way: The Philosophy of Xunzi.

Reviews for The Art of Chinese Philosophy: Eight Classical Texts and How to Read Them

"""[The Art of Chinese Philosophy] is a book I’d wanted to find before: a lucid, but not simplifying, introduction to eight classic texts, full of lapidary poetry.""---Hannah Sullivan, Times Literary Supplement ""A strikingly original, reliable, readable, and therefore most welcome introduction to the gigantic topic of China's great philosophy.""---Barbara Hendrischke, Religious Studies Review"