Dao Companion to Classical Confucian Philosophy

Editor: 
Vincent Shen

Publication Year: 
2014

Publisher: 
Springer

Abstract: 

The Philosophy of Classical Confucianism offers an unparalleled
examination to the philosophers, basic texts and philosophical
concepts and ideas of Classical Confucianism as well as the recently
unearthed bamboo slips related to Classical Confucianism. It will
prove itself a valuable reference to undergraduate and postgraduate
university students and teachers in philosophy, Chinese history,
History, Chinese language and Culture. This volume presents both a
historical and a systematic examination of the philosophy of classical
Confucianism. Taking into account newly unearthed materials and the
most recent scholarship, it features contributions by experts in the
field, ranging from senior scholars to outstanding early career
scholars.

The book first presents the historical development of classical
Confucianism, detailing its development amidst a fading ancient
political theology and a rising wave of creative humanism. It examines
the development of the philosophical ideas of Confucius as well as his
disciples and his grandson Zisi, the Zisi-Mencius School, Mencius, and
Xunzi. Together with this historical development, the book analyzes
and critically assesses the philosophy in the Confucian Classics and
other major works of these philosophers.

The second part systematically examines such philosophical issues as
feeling and emotion, the aesthetic appreciation of music, wisdom in
poetry, moral psychology, virtue ethics, political thoughts, the
relation with the Ultimate Reality, and the concept of harmony in
Confucianism.

Table of Contents: 

Introduction: Classical Confucianism in Historical and Comparative
Context, Vincent Shen.

PART I. Historical Development.-
2. The Fading of Political Theology and the Rise of Creative Humanism, Vincent Shen.-
3. The Philosophy of Confucius, NI Peimin.-
4. The Philosophy of Confucius' Disciples, LO Yuet Keung.-
5. Zisi and the Thought of Zisi and Mencius School, TSAI Zheng-Feng.-
6. The Daxue (Great Learning) and the Zhongyong (Doctrine of the Mean).  Andrew H. Plaks.-
7. Philosophical Thought of Mencius, CHAN Wing-cheuk.-
8. Xunzi as a Systematic Philosopher: Toward Organic Unity of Nature, Mind, and Reason, CHENG Chung-ying.

PART II. Philosophical Issues.-
9. Early Confucian Perspectives on Emotions, Curie Virac.-
10. Art and Aesthetics of Music in Classical Confucianism, Johanna Liu.-
11. Wisdom and Hermeneutics of Poetry in Classical Confucianism, Vincent Shen.-
12. Early Confucian Moral Psychology, SHUN Kwong-loi.-
13. Early Confucian Virtue Ethics: The Virtues of Junzi , Antonio Cua?.-
14. Early Confucian Political Philosophy and Its Contemporary Relevance, BAI Tongdong.-
15. Ultimate Reality and Self-cultivation in Early Confucianism: A Conceptual/Existential Approach , YAN Zhong-hu.-
16. Confucian Harmony: A Philosophical Analysis, LI Chengyang.

List of contributors.- Index.