A History of Chinese Philosophy, Volume 1: The Period of the Philosophers

A History of Chinese Philosophy #1

by Feng Youlan, Derk Bodde (Translator)

Since its original publication in Chinese in the 1930s, this work has been accepted by Chinese scholars as the most important contribution to the study of their country's philosophy. In 1952 the book was published by Princeton University Press in an English translation by the distinguished scholar of Chinese history, Derk Bodde, "the dedicated translator of Fung Yu-lan's huge history of Chinese philosophy" (New York Times Book Review). Available for the first time in paperback, it remains the most complete work on the subject in any language.

Volume I covers the period of the philosophers, from the beginnings to around 100 B.C., a philosophical period as remarkable as that of ancient Greece. Volume II discusses a period lesser known in the West--the period of classical learning, from the second century B.C. to the twentieth century.

Genres: Philosophy, China, History, Eastern Philosophy, Nonfiction

496 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1983

Reviews

[Shixiao Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, this was a difficult read. References and direct quotations from original philosophical text was made to emphasize what each school is about; while practical for that purpose it didn't make for a very engaging experience. However, as the title promises, it does provide an informative insight into ancient Chinese philosophy if you stick with it.

(And the English translated edition has four typos.)

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hải khoát

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential 'go to' source on Chinese early philosophy. If you are serious about Chinese intellectual history, this should be on your shelves. You also need Volume 2.

[Sah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book.

A good book to understand oriental world of philosophy.

[Nancy Raines]

Volume I