Great Thinkers of the Eastern World: The Major Thinkers and the Philosophical and Religious Classics of China, India, Japan, Korea, and the World of Islam

by Ian P. McGreal (Editor)

Gathers selections from the writings of Eastern philosophers, including Confucius, Lao Tzu, Mao Zedong, Buddha, and Gandhi.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Japan, Reference, Asia

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

Reviews

[Scott Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very factual and engaging, and is a good entry point for learning about the philosophies that could be considered religious philosophies, or possibly philosophies of religion. The difference between these being minor in this context, the book does not delve deeply into ceremony or ritual, as much as ideas about the good life and the afterlife. It is not a compendium of sacred texts, but rather a sort of biographical sketch of each major religious thinker of Asia, sorted by nationality, not by religion. As such, it is better as a companion to one's reading of each of these author's basic writings, than as a reading of those religious ideas directly from the original source.

However, as non-source material, its methods examining and explicating each nuance of the mind of each person detailed throughout the book, are second to none in my opinion. This is because most books about religion are either written by scholars, or believers. This one is by a scholar, but not one who is involved in debate or opinion. He keeps himself uninvolved and outside the text's narratives. With his own voice muted, the ideas of each thinker of Asia becomes very reflective of the source's own ideas and maxims.

All in all, a very good read, particularly for me the sections on the Jains of India, and the Buddhists of Japan. With so much insight into the minds of these devout people, you really can't go wrong, not even just for the least informational sections of the book.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible to summarize the philosophical histories of entire nations that span continents. However, by zeroing in on singular philosophers, poets, and prophets it is possible to get an approximation. The many essays McGreal assembled are all well written and descriptive. The philosophers location, time period, and main lists are at the beginning of every philosopher's entry. I am not sure whether or not this is a textbook or an encyclopedia. It feels like both and like neither. If it is supposed like an encyclopedia, I kind of feel embarrassed for reading it.

It may be possible to get the same experience of this book by just going through Wikipedia's "category" tags and going in chronological order for different regions, but you would have to do a lot more reading. Again, this book is only a loose summary, similar to Russel's History of Western Philosophy, except without all of Russel's biases.

[Gianetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource; I pull it from the shelf every now and then to refresh my recollection of major eastern-born philosophies.

[J-russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of writings. Really eye opening for any scholar of spiritual thought.

[Azimah Othman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very concise, well arranged and convenient. Nothing too heavy and list of major works and ideas are readily available. More than 100 thinkers each taking 4-6 pages only.