Visions of Peace

Takashi Shogimen is Associate Professor in History and Associate Dean (Research) for Humanities at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. He has previously been Research Fellow, Clare Hall, Cambridge, and a Visiting Professor in History at the University of Helsinki. His research interests encompass medieval European political thought, comparative political theory and Japanese intellectual history. His publications include Ockham and Political Discourse in the Late Middle Ages (Cambridge University Press, 2007) and Western Political Thought in Dialogue with Asia (co-edited with Cary J. Nederman, Lexington Books, 2009). Vicki A. Spencer is a Senior Lecturer in political theory in the Department of Politics at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Her research interests encompass early modern European thought and contemporary political theory with a focus on issues relating to language, cultural identities, nationalism and multiculturalism. She is the co-editor (with Paul Corcoran) of Disclosures (Ashgate, 2000) and her most recent publication is Herder’s Political Thought: A Study of Language, Culture and Community (University of Toronto Press, 2012). She is currently working on a project in contemporary theory on toleration, humility and recognition.

• Contents: Introduction, Takashi Shogimen and Vicki A. Spencer; Eirene: ancient Greek goddess and concept of peace, Patricia A. Hannah; The dissident tradition of Christian pacifism, Murray Rae; Concept of peace in Hinduism: a historical analysis, Kaushik Roy; The Confucian vision of peace, Kam-por Yu; A historical reflection on peace and public philosophy in Japanese thought: Prince Shotoku, Ito Jinsai and Yokoi Shonan, Shin Chiba; Visions of peace in medieval European political thought, Takashi Shogimen; Enlightenment perspectives on war and peace, Bruce Buchan; Indigenous inspiration and Herder’s peace woman, Vicki A. Spencer; Liberal peace plans and cultural difference: Jeremy Bentham and the limits of enlightenment universalism, Katherine Smits; Index.

’This is an insightful and much needed exploration of diverse understandings of peace, drawing from rich cross-cultural and historical sources to inspire more imaginative and effective strategies for preventing war.’ David Cortright, University of Notre Dame, USA ’The emphasis is on the under-explored ideas of peace found in the moral and political philosophies of Asia and the West. While each chapter stands on its own, the volume as a whole, in its historic sweep and philosophic depth, leaves an indelible impression on the reader. A much needed addition to the existing literature on peace studies.’ Anthony Parel, University of Calgary, Canada