East Asian and Indian philosophy Books

Book SynopsisThe philosophical traditions of China have arguably influenced more human beings than any other. China has been the home not only of its indigenous philosophical traditions of Confucianism and Daoism, but also of uniquely modified forms of Buddhism. As Ronnie L Littlejohn shows, these traditions have for thousands of years formed the bedrock of the longest continuing civilization on the planet; and Chinese philosophy has profoundly shaped the institutions, social practices and psychological character of East and Southeast Asia. The author here surveys the key texts and philosophical systems of Chinese thinkers in a completely original and illuminating way. Ranging from the Han dynasty to the present, he discusses the six classical schools of Chinese philosophy (Yin-Yang, Ru, Mo, Ming, Fa and Dao-De); the arrival of Buddhism in China and its distinctive development; the central figures and movements from the end of the Tang dynasty to the introduction into China of Western thought; and the impact of Chinese philosophers ranging from Confucius and Laozi to Tu Weiming on their equivalents in the West."Trade Review'This is an amazingly well-written and helpful introduction to the topic. Systematically divided into four parts - the ontological, the epistemological, the moral and the political - it explores fundamental questions through which readers may begin to appreciate the specificity of Chinese philosophy as well as its commonality with Western philosophy. The book offers a fascinating treatment, from ancient times to the present day, of well selected Chinese philosophers, their texts and their doctrines: sometimes in comparison with the most important Western philosophers like Plato, Berkeley, Mill, Whitehead and Wittgenstein. Ronnie Littlejohn has written the best concise introductory book of its kind on the market. It does a great job in orienting undergraduate students; it will similarly prove to be of real value to general readers; and even specialists and experts in the field will gain a good deal from reading it.' - Vincent Shen, Lee Chair in Chinese Thought and Culture, University of Toronto; 'With a talented and discerning brush, this discriminating and at the same time student friendly work paints a vivid picture of the Chinese philosophical landscape. Its canvas is broad, its execution is elegant; and it is sure to serve as a welcome resource for our deeper understanding of philosophy in a global setting.' - Robin R Wang, Professor of Philosophy, Director of Asian and Pacific Studies, Loyola Marymount University, author of Yinyang: The Way of Heaven and Earth in Chinese Thought and Culture (2012); 'This work is a comprehensive and highly analytical presentation of Chinese philosophy from the earliest beginnings to the modern era. Arranged thematically in four parts, covering ontology, epistemology, value theory, and political philosophy, it is both daunting in its scope and amazing in its depth. Each section presents the basic features of the kind of philosophy in question, followed by extensive discussions and translations from relevant Chinese works, creating intrinsic connections between eras and opening a powerful vision of the intricate unfolding of Chinese thought. The book inspires and challenges while engaging and clarifying an established subject in an illuminating new light.' - Livia Kohn, Professor Emerita of Religion and East Asian Studies, Boston University; 'It is daringly ambitious to try to present in a short monograph an overview of what Chinese philosophy as a whole might bring to world philosophical conversation. Yet within a framework of questions that are recognizably philosophical, as well as global, Professor Littlejohn's refreshing thematic approach introduces readers to how Chinese philosophers of different historical periods - and associated with varied schools of thought - think, and what positions they have adopted on the nature of reality, knowledge, value, and government. Written with admirable clarity and breadth, Littlejohn's book succeeds in communicating the distinctive tenors of Chinese thought and experience. This is an invaluable resource for teaching Chinese philosophy that will interest general readers as well as students and their teachers.' - Sor-hoon Tan, Associate Professor of Philosophy, National University of Singapore

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe tradition of philosophy in the Persian-speaking world is extraordinarily rich, creative and diverse. This anthology, which is divided into three volumes, aims to communicate something of that richness and diversity. The term 'philosophy' is understood to in its widest sense to include theological debate, philosophical Sufism and philosophical hermeneutics (ta'wil). Extending over a period of more than two millennia, and showcasing translations by well-established scholars, the anthology offers full bibliographical references throughout. For anyone interested in exploring, in all their varied manifestations, the fascinating philosophical traditions of Persia, such a wide-ranging and ambitious work will be an indispensable resource. Volume 1 starts with the Zoroastrian period and extends to the time of Biruni and Oma Khayyam, paying special attenton to the peripatetic school associated with Ibn Sina (Avicenna). During the pre-Islamic period philosophy was intertwined with religion, and it is within Persian religious texts such as the "Gathas", the "Denkard", and the Zoroastrian texts of the "Bundahisn" that philosophical discussions of subjects ranging from metaphysics to cosmology and eschatology are to be found.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe tradition of philosophy in the Persian-speaking world is extraordinarily rich, creative and diverse. This anthology, which is divided into three volumes, aims to communicate something of that richness and diversity. The term 'philosophy' is understood to in its widest sense to include theological debate, philosophical Sufism and philosophical hermeneutics (ta'wil). Extending over a period of more than two millennia, and showcasing translations by well-established scholars, the anthology offers full bibliographical references throughout. For anyone interested in exploring, in all their varied manifestations, the fascinating philosophical traditions of Persia, such a wide-ranging and ambitious work will be an indispensable resource. Volume 2 covers five centuries of Ismaili philosophy, and includes extracts from outstanding Ismaili works including the "Rasa'il Ikhwan al-Safa" ("Treatises of the Brethren of Purity") and the philosophical odes of Nasir Khusraw. It is of great siginificance that, in the early centuries of Islam, philosophers were influenced by Pythagorean and Hermetic ideas, which are usually associated with Shi'i thought in general and Ismailism in particular. Ismaili philosophy at this time was able to integrate strands of Greco-Alexandrian thought such as Hermeticism and Neo-Pythagoreanism, as well as aspects of Mazdaeism and Manichaeism. It also showed marked interest in Neo-platonism.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChina now attracts global attention in direct proportion to its increasing economic and geopolitical power. But for millennia, the philosophy which has shaped the soul of China is not modern Communism, or even new forms of capitalism, but rather Confucianism. And one of the most striking phenomena relating to China's ascendancy on the world stage is a burgeoning interest, throughout Asia and beyond, in the humanistic culture and values that underlie Chinese politics and finance: particularly the thought of Confucius passed on in the Analects. In this stimulating conversation, two leading thinkers from the Confucian and Buddhist traditions discuss the timely relevance of a rejuvenated Confucian ethics to some of the most urgent issues in the modern world: Sino/Japanese/US relations; the transformation of society through education and dialogue; and the role of world religions in promoting human flourishing. Exploring correspondences between the Confucian and Buddhist world-views, the interlocutors commit themselves to a view of spirituality and religion that, without blurring cultural difference, is focused above all on the 'universal heart': on harmony between people and nature that leads to peace and to a hopeful future for all humanity.Table of ContentsChapter One: The Starting Point for Peace Chapter Two: Life-changing Encounters with Mentors Chapter Three: Learning and the Youth Chapter Four: Leaning as a Way of Life Chapter Five: Dialogue of Civilizations Chapter Six: Dialogues for Change Chapter Seven: The Social Role of Religion Chapter Eight: Buddhism and Confucianism for a Better World Chapter Nine: A Century of Great Harmony Chapter Ten: Globalization of Peace Culture Chapter Eleven: Confucian Humanism and Buddhist Humanism Chapter Twelve: Analects and a Dialogical Community Chapter Thirteen: New Horizons in Humanism Chapter Fourteen: The Unity of Heaven and Humanity vs. the Oneness of the Self and the Universe Chapter Fifteen: Buddhist and Confucian Wisdom-A Full Flowering of Humanity Chapter Sixteen: Sino-American Relations Chapter Seventeen: Toward a Dialogical Civilization Glossary Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe fourth volume of the Anthology of Philosophy in Persia deals with one of the richest and yet least known periods of philosophical life in Persia, the centuries between the seventh/thirteenth century, that saw the eclipse of the school of Khorosan, and the tenth/sixteenth century that coincided with the rise of the Safavids. The main schools dealt with in this volume are the Peripatetic (mashsha'i) School, the School of Illumination (ishraq) of Suhrawardi, and various forms of philosophical Sufism, especially the school of Ibn 'Arabi, that had its origins in the works of Ghazzali and 'Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani. This period was also notable for the philosopher-scientists such as Nasir al-Din Tusi and Qutb al-Din Shirazi.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLeading scholars have combined forces to produce this volume on the philosophy and legal views of Moses Maimonides (1138–1204) and the historical context in which he worked. The philosophical section examines Maimonides’ ethical doctrine; his paradoxical life-style; his Guide of the Perplexed; his attitude to mysticism; his use of language; and his theory of astronomy. The legal section deals with law and medicine, the relation of Maimonides’ legal thought to the Talmud; his doctrine of a just war; and his theory of redemption and Messianism. The history section examines Maimonides’ accession to the position of head of the Jewish community in its historical context, at the time of the rise of the ‘Ayyubid dynasty under Saladin.Trade Review‘[The articles] remain very instructive both in terms of their contents and methodology. Indeed, they introduce many basic issues in Maimonides’ philosophy and law . . . an indispensable tool for the study of Maimonides, for it sets forth not only contents and analysis, but also methods of inquiry.’ - Binyamin Abrahamov, Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam‘Fine introduction . . . A rich portrait of Maimonides’ thought emerges in these pages.’ - Fred Morgan, Jewish Book News & Reviews‘The papers . . . represent a variety of viewpoints, and all merit careful study . . . a pleasure to read . . . the volume is a welcome addition to the growing number of books on the most important of medieval Jewish thinkers.’ - Alexander Broadie, Jewish Quarterly‘For many years to come it is likely to remain a major reference volume for students of Maimonides.’ - Sarah Stroumsa, Jewish Quarterly Review‘Kraemer’s book was first published in hardback in 1991, and has since then been much consulted, since it is surely one of the best surveys both of Maimonides and of his historical context . . . an important contribution.’ - Oliver Leaman, Le'ela‘These studies, however disparate, provide us with convincing evidence of the continuing importance of Maimonides’s philosophy. They make clear that no set of studies ever exhausts all that a major thinker of this eminence offers serious students of his work.’ - Marvin Fox, Times Literary Supplement‘It is very apposite to have it now in paperback: less expensive, it will allow students to possess a volume that will acquaint them with high standards of scholarship, showing at the same time that although so much has been said and written about Maimonides, it is still possible to come up with new and interesting insights into his life and works, which continue to be interpreted very differently by different scholars.’ - Gad Freudenthal, Journal of Religious HistoryTable of ContentsAbbreviations Contributors Introduction - JOEL L. KRAEMER Part I Philosophy: Ethics, Politics, Metaphysics 1 The Ethical Views of Maimonides within the context of Islamicate Civilization - LAWRENCE V. BERMAN 2 Maimonides’ Governance of the Solitary - RALPH LERNER 3 Maimonides in the Sultan's Palace - STEVEN HARVEY 4 Maimonides on the Philosophic Sciences in his Treatise on the Art of Logic - JOEL L. KRAEMER 5 Why Maimonides was not a Mutakallim - WARREN ZEV HARVEY 6 Neoplatonic Currents in Maimonides' Thought - ALFRED L. IVRY 7 Maimonides’ Quest beyond Philosophy and Prophecy - ITHAMAR GRUENWALD 8 The 'True Perplexity': The Guide of the Perplexed, Part II, Chapter 24 - TZVI LANGERMANN 9 Maimonides on Religious Language - ARTHUR HYMAN Part II Jewish Law 10 Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed on Forbidden Food in the light of his own Medical Opinion - JACOB LEVINGER 11 Holy War in Maimonidean Law - GERALD J. BLIDSTEIN 12 ‘To the Utmost of Human Capacity’: Maimonides on the Days of the Messiah - AVIEZER RAVITZKY 13 Maimonides on Eretz Yisrael: Halakhic, Philosophic, and Historical Perspectives - ISADORE TWERSKY Part III History 14 ‘At Our Place in al-Andalus’, ‘At Our Place in the Maghreb’ - JOSHUA BLAU 15 The Early Decades of Ayyubid Rule - JOSEPH DRORY 16 Saladin’s Egypt and Maimonides - ANDREW S. EHRENKREUTZ 17 Saladin’s Religious Personality, Policy, and Image - MICHAEL WINTER Index

Read more less