Confucian Discourse in the Global Context: A Study of Tu Weiming's Neo-Confucian Thought

Author: Hu Zhihong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Professor Tu Weiming (1940-), a Chinese-American scholar and Harvard professor, as the third-generation heir of modern New Confucianism, has made significant theoretical contributions in the modern transformation of Confucian resources, as well as in the Sinicization of Western terms and the global dissemination of Confucianism. He holds considerable influence in "Cultural China" and the international academic community. This book, as a comprehensive and in-depth study of Tu Weiming's New Confucian thought, traces the intellectual journey of Tu Weiming to date, revealing his orientation as a "leading thinker of Confucianism in the academy and a public intellectual." Based on Tu Weiming's discussions on ontology, philosophical anthropology, sociopolitical theory, and cosmology, it demonstrates his "Heaven-Mankind System" as an embodiment of "Confucian innovation." Furthermore, according to the four major domains Tu Weiming proposed—"Confucian innovation," "critical reflection on enlightenment," "Cultural China," and "civilizational dialogue"—it constructs his "cultural sociology" thought system with a strong realistic character. While fully acknowledging Tu Weiming's theoretical contributions, the book also points out some of his shortcomings, particularly in the lack of systematicization at the level of self-awareness. Based on his self-expectations and his concern for the "third phase of Confucian development," it predicts the future direction of his intellectual pursuits. Starting from extensive research, the book constructs the basic framework of Tu Weiming's academic thought, presenting his ideas and viewpoints in a comprehensive and clear manner. Through this book, readers can not only gain a thorough understanding of the basic stance, views, and concerns of the third-generation Confucians but also explore the cutting-edge topics in contemporary Confucian discussions in the academic world, as well as the new developments in social and cultural research related to Confucian studies in the international academic community. This book is highly beneficial for readers to quickly understand and engage with these domains.
Professor Tu Weiming (1940-), a Chinese-American scholar and Harvard professor, as the third-generation heir of modern New Confucianism, has made significant theoretical contributions in the modern transformation of Confucian resources, as well as in the Sinicization of Western terms and the global dissemination of Confucianism. He holds considerable influence in "Cultural China" and the international academic community. This book, as a comprehensive and in-depth study of Tu Weiming's New Confucian thought, traces the intellectual journey of Tu Weiming to date, revealing his orientation as a "leading thinker of Confucianism in the academy and a public intellectual." Based on Tu Weiming's discussions on ontology, philosophical anthropology, sociopolitical theory, and cosmology, it demonstrates his "Heaven-Mankind System" as an embodiment of "Confucian innovation." Furthermore, according to the four major domains Tu Weiming proposed—"Confucian innovation," "critical reflection on enlightenment," "Cultural China," and "civilizational dialogue"—it constructs his "cultural sociology" thought system with a strong realistic character. While fully acknowledging Tu Weiming's theoretical contributions, the book also points out some of his shortcomings, particularly in the lack of systematicization at the level of self-awareness. Based on his self-expectations and his concern for the "third phase of Confucian development," it predicts the future direction of his intellectual pursuits.