Rhetoric of Confucianism in a Global Context

Author: Hu Zhihong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: As a third-generation heir of modern Neo-Confucianism, the American-born Chinese scholar and Harvard professor Tu Weiming (1940-) has made significant theoretical contributions in the modern transformation of Confucian resources, as well as in the Sinicization of Western terms and the global promotion 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 Neo-Confucian thought, traces the intellectual journey of Tu Weiming to date, revealing his orientation as a "leading intellectual in the academy as a public intellectual of Confucianism." Based on Tu Weiming's discussions on ontology, philosophical anthropology, sociopolitical theory, and cosmology, it demonstrates his "Heaven-Mankind System" as an embodiment of "Neo-Confucian innovation." Furthermore, according to the four major domains Tu Weiming proposed—"Neo-Confucian innovation," "enlightenment reflection," "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 Neo-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 thoroughly understand the basic stance, viewpoints, and concerns of the third-generation Confucians but also gain insights into the cutting-edge issues of Confucian discussions in the contemporary 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.