Classic Asian Philosophy: A Guide to the Essential Texts

by Joel J. Kupperman

In recent years, Asian philosophies have captured increasing attention in the West, setting off a profusion of new translations of classic Asian philosophical texts like the Analects and the Tao te Ching . Yet these texts are often inaccessible to Western readers because of subtleties of the
concepts and other difficulties inherent in reading across cultures.
Classic Asian Philosophy is designed to give someone new to Asian philosophy a clear sense of its most foundational and widely available texts, ranging from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita through Confucius to Zen. It presents philosophies that are at the roots of the cultures of India, China,
Korea, and Japan, as well as other countries of south and east Asia. Each chapter brings a classic text to life, conveying the vitality and appeal of the work, while at the same time explaining its philosophical roots and the reasons for the positions it takes. The only book of its kind, Classic
Asian Philosophy is an highly accessible guide to philosophy and culture, as well as a guide to further reading.

Genres: Philosophy, China, Nonfiction, Eastern Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Research

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2000

Reviews

[Sierra The Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This of course breaks down significant Asian Philosophy texts, and gives structure and possible meaning to them, it is a very fascinating book and gives a lot to think about and process.
I highly recommend if this topic interests you at all.

[Kade Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kupperman, I dedicate my grade in philosophy of eastern religion to you.

[Jason Catalano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joel J. Kupperman provides a standard introduction to Chinese philosophy.

This book is very good for beginners who want to gather a general understanding of foundational Asian texts. However, a more advanced reader may find the descriptions too limited. The book would've benefited from more direct quotes from the actual books Kupperman is referencing. Since these are lacking, readers may become confused.

[Ashuman Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Cl...#

[Kiera Boudibiua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to the classic Asian philosophy text.

[Sam Seshadri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approachable:
1. Upanishads: atman is Brahman ie. The universal self.
2. Confucius is all about content and following the way.
3. Mencius... we are innately benevolent.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for school, and I was confused for 94% of it but thats fine

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most philosophy books it was profound. Kupperman tried to be subtle on his views (which is much appreciated to some as a philosopher) but when he spoke on Daoism, it felt as though he didn't appreciate the conscious mind and the visionary sense of meditation. I did enjoy his reflection on the Dhammapada-the metaphysics. He explained quite thoroughly between the similarities and differences between the Upanishads (Hinduism) to Buddhism (atman is Brahman-to there is no atman), but his structure in the writing was all wrong. He jumped around too much and it made the reader (me) a bit confused and I had to read some passages over. It seemed to me, he was a bit scatterbrained on the subjects - but I love philosophy and I enjoyed the book as a whole.

[Error Theorist · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to some aspects of Asian philosophy. Kupperman does a good job of breaking down complex metaphysical systems - such as the one found in Taoism - and explaining them in ordinary language. There isn't very much jargon, since the book is meant as an introduction for undergraduates. It's a great read if you want to introduce yourself to Asian philosophy.

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good bridge from West to East with appeal to Western ideas as a way to introduce more foreign concepts in Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, etc. No actual primary texts, just analysis--though all these primary texts are available for free online.

[matthew]

it's great so far! the most lucid explication of even abstruse points i've yet read.