Chinese Philosophy and Philosophers

List of Focus Windows Preface Acknowledgements Note on Translations Introduction 1. Ontology—Questions about the Nature of Reality Introduction The Basic Vocabulary of the Chinese Theory of Reality: The “Great Commentary” to the Classic of Changes (Yijing) Daoist Ontology: Lao-Zhuang Tradition (c. 350–139 BCE) A Synthesis of Classical Chinese Ontologies: Masters of Huainan(Huainanzi, c.139 BCE) Buddhist Ontologies The Study of Principles: Understanding the Content and Structure of Reality Shifting Paradigms in Chinese Theories of Reality Chapter Reflections Additional Readings and Resources 2. Epistemology—Questions about the Nature and Scope of Knowledge Introduction A Classical Chinese Model for Justifying Beliefs and Knowledge Claims: Mozi (c. 470-391 BCE) Early Chinese Rhetoricians (bianshi) and Logicians The Inadequacy of Reason for the Discovery of Truth: The Lao-Zhuang Tradition (c. 350–139 BCE) Knowledge by Analogical Inference: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE) Reasoning without Prejudgment: Xunzi (c. 310–220 BCE) Differentiating Belief from Knowledge: Wang Chong (c. 27–100) Buddhist Influenced Epistemologies Pluralistic Cultural Knowledge: Zhang Dongsun (1886–1973) Chapter Reflections Additional Readings and Resources 3. Moral Theory—Questions about the Nature and Application of Morality Introduction Morality as Cultural Propriety: Confucius (c. 551–479 BCE) Morality as Heaven’s Commands: Mozi (c. 470–391 BCE) Moral Effortlessness: Lao-Zhuang Views on Morality (c. 350–139 BCE) Morality as Cultivating Our Inborn Endowments: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE) Morality as Carving and Polishing the Person: Xunzi (310–220 BCE) Buddhist Thinking about Morality in the Chinese Context Morality Books and Ledgers: Tract of the Most Exalted on Action and Response (c. 1164) The Ultimacy of Harmony: Zhu Xi (1130–1200) Moral Willing as Moral Knowing: Wang Yangming (1472–1529) Early Modern and Contemporary Reflections on Moral Philosophy Chapter Reflections Additional Readings and Resources 4. Political Philosophy—Questions about the Nature and Purpose of Government Introduction The Classical Chinese Political Theory of Meritocracy Humane Government: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE) Legalism’s Two Handles of Government: Han Fei (c. 280–233 BCE) Daoist Influenced Political Theories Government Enacting Social Justice: Wang Anshi (1021-1086) Critique of the Chinese Dynastic System: Huang Zongxi (1610-1695) Re-envisioning Chinese Political Understanding of Government and Politics The Sinification of Marxism in China: Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Forms of Current Confucian Political Theory Chapter Reflections Additional Readings and Resources Quick Guide to Pronunciation Comparative Chronology of Philosophers Notes References Index