Pelican Books Chinese Thought From Confucius to Cook Ding 1st Edition by Roel Sterckx ISBN 0241385903 9780241385906

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Product details:
ISBN 10: 0241385903
ISBN 13: 9780241385906
Author: Roel Sterckx
‘A terrific book, rich and endlessly thought provoking. . . If you are looking for one book to understand the core ideas of Chinese civilisation, read this’ – Michael Wood

An engrossing history of ancient Chinese philosophy and culture from an eminent Cambridge expert

We are often told that the twenty-first century is bound to become China’s century. Never before has Chinese culture been so physically, digitally, economically or aesthetically present in everyday Western life. But how much do we really know about its origins and key beliefs? How did the ancient Chinese think about the world?

In this enlightening book, Roel Sterckx, one of the foremost experts in Chinese thought, takes us through centuries of Chinese history, from Confucius to Daoism to the Legalists. The great questions that have occupied China’s brightest minds were not about who and what we are, but rather how we should live our lives, how we should organise society and how we can secure the well-being of those who live with us and for whom we carry responsibility.

With evocative examples from philosophy, literature and everyday life, Sterckx shows us how the ancient Chinese have shaped the thinking of a civilization that is now influencing our own.

Pelican Books Chinese Thought From Confucius to Cook Ding 1st Edition Table of contents:

1. Introduction: The Landscape of Chinese Thought

• Overview of the historical development of Chinese philosophy.
• The role of Chinese thought in shaping both society and individual lives.

2. Confucius and the Foundations of Chinese Philosophy

• Life and teachings of Confucius.
• The concepts of ren (benevolence), li (ritual), and the importance of family and social harmony.
• Confucius’ influence on Chinese culture and governance.

3. The Daoist Response: Laozi and Zhuangzi

• The origins of Daoism and the core ideas in the Dao De Jing.
• The teachings of Zhuangzi and his focus on individual freedom and spontaneity.
• Daoism’s relationship with nature, simplicity, and non-action (wu wei).

4. Mencius and the Development of Confucianism

• Mencius’ expansion of Confucian thought, particularly regarding human nature.
• The concept of xin (heart/mind) and its role in morality.
• The importance of education and the cultivation of virtue.

5. The Legalist School: Han Feizi and Statecraft

• Legalism’s practical approach to governance and law.
• Han Feizi’s theory of law, punishment, and the role of rulers in maintaining order.
• Legalism’s contrast with Confucian and Daoist ideals.

6. The School of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements

• The philosophical ideas of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements (Wu Xing), and their application in cosmology and medicine.
• The influence of these ideas on Chinese science, medicine, and divination.

7. The Rise of Neo-Confucianism

• The development of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty, led by thinkers like Zhu Xi.
• A synthesis of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist ideas.
• The emphasis on metaphysical concepts and self-cultivation.

8. The Practical Philosophy of Cook Ding

• The famous story of Cook Ding (from the Zhuangzi), symbolizing Daoist philosophy applied to everyday life.
• The idea of skillful action and living in harmony with the Dao through ordinary tasks.
• The implications of Daoist thought for craftsmanship, artistry, and life philosophy.

9. The Legacy of Chinese Thought

• The lasting influence of Chinese philosophical traditions on modern China and the world.
• Chinese thought’s role in politics, education, and personal development.
• The adaptation of ancient ideas in contemporary contexts.

10. Conclusion: A Living Tradition

• Reflections on the enduring relevance of Chinese thought in today’s globalized world.
• How Chinese philosophy can contribute to global philosophical dialogue.

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