History of Chinese Philosophy (Vol. 1 & 2)

Author: Zhong Tai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 1, 1998
Features: This book was written by Mr. Zhong Tai over three years, reflecting the subtleties of wisdom and presenting objective and fair discussions of various schools of thought. As an early and comprehensive work that is both profound and insightful, it deserves the attention ofphilosophy enthusiasts and researchers. The book is divided into two volumes and can be broadly categorized into four periods: the ancient history from the beginning of recorded history to the Qin Dynasty; second, the medieval history of the Han and Tang Dynasties; third, the pre-modern history of the Song and Ming Dynasties; and fourth, the modern history of the Qing Dynasty. In the ancient philosophy, the author primarily discusses the following: "Benti" (the way of heaven), "Jinren" (fulfilling human potential), "Shouxiao" (prioritizing filial piety), "Yongzhong" (using the middle way), "Shangmin" (governing the people), "Daxiandaiwang" (the six arts of the learned officials), the main ideas of Laozi (including the Dao, wuwei, the three treasures, the infant, wealth and education, the Great Unity and the Little Unity, and the study of fame and knowledge), the main ideas of Mencius (including universal love, non-aggression, frugality, the Heavenly, the Mohist Canon), the main ideas of Yangzi (including self-interest, nurturing life, on life and death, and on fame and reality), the main ideas of Shangjun (including agriculture and warfare, opening borders, and changing laws), the main ideas of Zhuangzi (including the Great Master of the Origin, the Doctrine of the Equality of Things, the Master of Nurturing Life, and the Ruler Who Responds to Emperors), the main ideas of Mencius (including the goodness of nature, expansion, and the debate between righteousness and profit), the "White Horse Argument" of Hui Shi and Gongsun Long, and the main ideas of Xunzi and Han Feizi. In the medieval philosophy, the author primarily discusses the rise of Confucianism in the Han and Tang Dynasties, the ideas of Jia Sheng and Dong Zhongshu, the ideas of King Huai of Huainan, as well as the main ideas of Yang Xiong, Wang Chong, and Zheng Xuan. In the pre-modern philosophy, the author primarily discusses the Neo-Confucianism of the Song scholars. In the modern philosophy, the author primarily discusses the philosophy promoted by the Qing scholars. The entire book is written in the form of historical biographies, pioneering a new chapter in the compilation of the history of philosophy. The content is presented in a very objective and accurate manner, making it highly valuable forphilosophy enthusiasts and researchers to study.
Zhong Tai (1888-1979), styled Jizhai, styled Zhongshan, styled Dai'an. Born in Nanjing. He studied in Japan and graduated from Tokyo Japan University. Upon returning to China, he served as a Japanese language teacher and translator for many years at the Jiangnan Normal School. Before the Xinhai Revolution, he went south to Singapore to run a newspaper. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he initially taught at Anhui Higher School, and later taught Japanese and the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi at Nanjing Law School for ten years (1914-1923). From 1924 to 1937, he served as a professor at Zhejiang University; during this time, he was invited by Chen Mingru to move south and serve as the Secretary-General and Counselor of the Guangdong Provincial Government (1928-1929). During the War of Resistance Against Japan, heserved as a professor at the National Normal College in Lantian, Hunan (1939-1943), and as the Dean of the College of Arts and Director of the Chinese Department at Daya University in Guiyang (1944). In winter 1944, he went to Leshan, Sichuan, to teach at the Fuxing Academy founded by Ma Yifu. After Japan's surrender, he returned to Shanghai and served as a professor at Guanghua University (1948-1950). After the liberation, he transferred to East China Normal University. After resigning after many years, he became a member of the Shanghai Academy of Arts and Sciences. From 1962 to 1966, he went north to Changchun to teach at the Northeast Institute of Historical Studies. During the Cultural Revolution, he remained employed at the Shanghai Academy of Arts and Sciences, resigning in 1973 and returning to live in Nanjing.