Confucianism

An Introduction

Inbunden, Engelska, 2010

Av Ronnie L. Littlejohn, USA) Littlejohn, Ronnie L. (Belmont University

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It is arguably Confucianism, not Communism, which lies at the core of China's deepest sense of self. Although reviled by Chinese intellectuals of the 1950s-1990s, who spoke of it as 'yellow silt clotting the arteries of the country', Confucianism has defied eradication, remaining a fundamental part of the nation's soul for 2500 years. And now, as China assumes greater ascendancy on the world economic stage, it is making a strong comeback as a pragmatic philosophy of personal as well as corporate transformation, popular in both home and boardroom. What is this complex system of ideology that stems from the teachings of a remarkable man called Confucius (Kongzi), who lived in the distant sixth century BCE? Though he left no writings of his own, the oral teachings recorded by the founder's disciples in the 'Analects' left a profound mark on later Chinese politics and governance. They outline a system of social cohesiveness dependent upon personal virtue and self-control.For Confucius, society's harmony relied upon the appropriate behaviour of each individual within the social hierarchy; and its emphasis on practical ethics has led many to think of Confucianism as a secular philosophy rather than a religion. In this new, comprehensive introduction, Ronnie Littlejohn argues rather that Confucianism is profoundly spiritual, and must be treated as such. He offers full coverage of the tradition's sometimes neglected metaphysics, as well as its varied manifestations in education, art, literature and culture.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2010-10-23
Mått138 x 216 x 25 mm
Vikt438 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieI.B.Tauris Introductions to Religion
Antal sidor256
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN9781848851733

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Östasiatiska religioner inom Filosofi och religion

AcknowledgementsPreliminary Considerations and ConventionsChapter I: The World into which Confucius CameChapter II: What Confucius TaughtChapter III: The Formation of Classical ConfucianismChapter IV: Confucian Ascendancy in the Han DynastyChapter V: Blending Confucianism with Other WorldviewsChapter VI: Confucianism and Challenges from a Foreign LandChapter VII: The Renaissance Period of ConfucianismChapter VIII: Conversations with Master ZhuChapter IX: Confucianism in New Homes and New HeartsChapter X: The Contemporary PeriodA Quick Guide to PronunciationIllustrations, Maps and Picture CreditsGlossary of TitlesGlossary of Names and TermsWorks Cited

'China has arrived", and Ronnie Littlejohn helps us know this antique culture better. In his entirely accessible introduction, Littlejohn has done the academy the timely service of resourcing the best contemporary research in sinology to tell the compelling story of a living Confucianism as it has meandered through the dynasties to flow down to our present time.' - Roger T Ames, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawai'i; 'Although basically intended as an introductory text for undergraduates, this book is equally a very useful one for everyone with a serious interest in things sinological to have on their bookshelves. Littlejohn has surveyed well the modern Western scholarship on the manifold dimensions of the Confucian persuasion from its earliest beginnings to the present, and proffers it to the reader in a clearly written and commendably balanced narrative, complete with notes, references, and a working bibliography for further studies of this ancient but still vibrant philosophical and religious tradition we know as "Confucianism".' - Henry Rosemont, Jr, George B & Wilma Reeves Distinguished Professor of the Liberal Arts Emeritus, St Mary's College of Maryland, and Visiting Professor of Religious Studies, Brown University