Chinese Philosophy and Philosophers

Ronnie L. Littlejohn is Virginia M. Chaney Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Director of Asian Studies at Belmont University, USA. His previous books include Historical Dictionary of Daoism (2020), Confucianism: An Introduction (2011), Daoism: An Introduction (2009) and Riding the Wind with Liezi: New Perspectives on the Daoist Classic (2011).

List of Focus Windows
Preface
Acknowledgements
Note on Translations
Introduction
1. Ontology—Questions about the Nature of Reality
Introduction
The Basic Vocabulary of the Chinese Theory of Reality: The “Great Commentary” to the Classic of Changes (Yijing)
Daoist Ontology: Lao-Zhuang Tradition (c. 350–139 BCE)
A Synthesis of Classical Chinese Ontologies: Masters of Huainan(Huainanzi, c.139 BCE)
Buddhist Ontologies
The Study of Principles: Understanding the Content and Structure of Reality
Shifting Paradigms in Chinese Theories of Reality
Chapter Reflections
Additional Readings and Resources
2. Epistemology—Questions about the Nature and Scope of Knowledge
Introduction
A Classical Chinese Model for Justifying Beliefs and Knowledge Claims: Mozi (c. 470-391 BCE)
Early Chinese Rhetoricians (bianshi) and Logicians
The Inadequacy of Reason for the Discovery of Truth: The Lao-Zhuang Tradition (c. 350–139 BCE)
Knowledge by Analogical Inference: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE)
Reasoning without Prejudgment: Xunzi (c. 310–220 BCE)
Differentiating Belief from Knowledge: Wang Chong (c. 27–100)
Buddhist Influenced Epistemologies
Pluralistic Cultural Knowledge: Zhang Dongsun (1886–1973)
Chapter Reflections
Additional Readings and Resources
3. Moral Theory—Questions about the Nature and Application of Morality
Introduction
Morality as Cultural Propriety: Confucius (c. 551–479 BCE)
Morality as Heaven’s Commands: Mozi (c. 470–391 BCE)
Moral Effortlessness: Lao-Zhuang Views on Morality (c. 350–139 BCE)
Morality as Cultivating Our Inborn Endowments: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE)
Morality as Carving and Polishing the Person: Xunzi (310–220 BCE)
Buddhist Thinking about Morality in the Chinese Context
Morality Books and Ledgers: Tract of the Most Exalted on Action and Response (c. 1164)
The Ultimacy of Harmony: Zhu Xi (1130–1200)
Moral Willing as Moral Knowing: Wang Yangming (1472–1529)
Early Modern and Contemporary Reflections on Moral Philosophy
Chapter Reflections
Additional Readings and Resources
4. Political Philosophy—Questions about the Nature and Purpose of Government
Introduction
The Classical Chinese Political Theory of Meritocracy
Humane Government: Mencius (c. 372–289 BCE)
Legalism’s Two Handles of Government: Han Fei (c. 280–233 BCE)
Daoist Influenced Political Theories
Government Enacting Social Justice: Wang Anshi (1021-1086)
Critique of the Chinese Dynastic System: Huang Zongxi (1610-1695)
Re-envisioning Chinese Political Understanding of Government and Politics
The Sinification of Marxism in China: Mao Zedong (1893–1976)
Forms of Current Confucian Political Theory
Chapter Reflections
Additional Readings and Resources
Quick Guide to Pronunciation
Comparative Chronology of Philosophers
Notes
References
Index