Description
Book SynopsisIt 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.
Trade Review'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
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preliminary Considerations and Conventions Chapter I: The World into which Confucius Came Chapter II: What Confucius Taught Chapter III: The Formation of Classical Confucianism Chapter IV: Confucian Ascendancy in the Han Dynasty Chapter V: Blending Confucianism with Other Worldviews Chapter VI: Confucianism and Challenges from a Foreign Land Chapter VII: The Renaissance Period of Confucianism Chapter VIII: Conversations with Master Zhu Chapter IX: Confucianism in New Homes and New Hearts Chapter X: The Contemporary Period A Quick Guide to Pronunciation Illustrations, Maps and Picture Credits Glossary of Titles Glossary of Names and Terms Works Cited
