Chinese Philosophy in Classical Times

by E.R. Hughes

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Philosophy, History

380 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 197

Reviews

[Lloyd Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I would like to have read in detail. I feel that, although I've studied Western philosophy, and I've read a few things like the Sayings of Confucius, I really don't have an understanding of Chinese philosophy. However, I've run out of time and there is no way that I'm going to be able to read this book cover to cover in the time left to me. So I've skimmed it. Not a great way to review a book..... but best i can do at the moment.
The book reviews Chinese philosophical thought in the period from about 100-1500 AD.
Hughes suggests that there was a movement from religion to philosophy and Confucius was the earliest of these questing individuals whose minds broke out of the traditional mould. His approach was simple although he had a genius for asking questions. Something of a Socrates, like him above all in that he proved his honesty by sacrificing everything for truth's sake.....Perhaps, the secret of the continued respect for Confucius lies in the fact that he and his followers after him represented a Middle Way.... and it may well be that here the artistic genius of the Chinese people asserts itself, desiring in the intellectual realm expression of a sense of proportion, of balance and subtle harmony.....This Classical Philosophy, therefore, is not for the most part irreligious or contra-religious in tendency.
There is some fascinating stuff i there and some great stories, for example on p169, (How greater knowledge changes a man's sense of values) where Master Hui cut a big gourd into pieces because it was too large to carry water but Master Chuang pointed out that this was stupid because he could have used it as a boat for floating upon the rivers and lakes.
Three stars from me.

[James Violand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I confess my bias. I am an Occidental and relish Western philosophy. I find it difficult to follow an alien way of looking at reality. The Chinese, a GREAT civilization, were completely isolated as opposed to the free flowing travel of ideas in the West. They devised a way of thinking that is not my way. I am not criticizing. I am just explaining that I find it not too deep because of my bias.