Concise History of Chinese Philosophy

Author: Gao Lingyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: This book is a comprehensive history of Chinese philosophy that bridges the ancient and modern periods, suitable for undergraduate and graduate teaching. The book is divided into an introduction and four parts, fifteen chapters, discussing the development of the philosophical thoughts of major Chinese philosophers from ancient times to the contemporary era. The main content includes pre-Qin and Han Dynasty philosophical thoughts, the formation of Taoism and Taoist philosophy, the introduction and doctrines of Buddhism, the evolution of Confucianism from metaphysics to Zhu Xi's Confucianism, the Xinxue (Mind School) and Qixue (Qi School), the Song Academy and Han Learning, gradual and revolutionary thought currents, Buddhist and Taoist studies, pragmatism in China, Mao Zedong Thought, modern New Confucianism and the Eastward Spread of Western Learning, and the modernization of traditional Chinese philosophy. The book highlights the dominant role of Confucian thought among the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, particularly emphasizing the southward shift of Chinese cultural focus and the role and significance of Southern Song Dynasty Confucian scholars in carrying forward and innovating. It also includes special chapters on evaluating the philosophical thoughts of lesser-discussed figures such as Tan Qiao, Chen Tuan, Bai Yuchan, You Zu, Yang Shi, Wang Tingxiang, Li Guangdi, Chen Yingning, Yin Shun, Gu Hongming, Yang Xianzhen, and Chen Rongjie. This book is a general history, offering only introductory discussions on each issue and figure, but it covers thousands of years of Chinese philosophical history and involves over a hundred philosophers, reflecting the author's dedication and deep love for the philosophy and culture of his own nation.