If we are asked what is the single most influential work in Chinese history, the answer will definitely be Lunyu, the Analects . Its influence on the Chinese is comparable to that of the Bible on the Western world. Yet contemporary scholarship tends to trivialize or impoverish Confucius's teaching by denying either the general integrity of his work or the transcendental or religious dimension of his thought. This thesis argues that the Analects should be treated as a generally integrated whole, reflecting the vision of Confucius. An existential reading of the Analects, as this author proposes to do here, has revealed that this foundational text has three organically connected levels of thought, proceeding from self-cultivation, through the mediation of the social to the metaphysical level of Ultimate Reality. These three levels of thought correspond well to the structure and reality of human existence as Paul Tillich interprets them. On the metaphysical level, Dao, the Way, de, virtue, shen, the spirit and ming, destiny are discussed, which proves that Confucius indeed had transcendental concerns. On the social level, three key concepts are emphasized: ren, benevolence, yi, moral rightness, and li, the rites. These three concepts form a hierarchy with ren at the top, yi in the middle and li at the bottom. It is to this social level that Confucius seemed to direct most of his attention. Finally, on the personal level, the concept of ji, self is discussed. In Confucius's conception, the self has physical, psychological and sociological aspects, which have both positive and negative tendencies. Self-cultivation is an effort to overcome negative tendencies inherent in these structures as well as to develop positive attributes such as xue, learning, zhi, wisdom, and yong, courage. I conclude this thesis by stating that because the Analects answers existential needs and offers a practical way to harmonize the individual, society and cosmos, its appeal in the Chinese world will continue and its appeal to non-Chinese will grow.

This volume surveys the major philosophical concepts, arguments, and commitments of the Confucian classic, the Analects. In thematically organized chapters, leading scholars provide a detailed, scholarly introduction to the text and the signal ideas ascribed to its protagonist, Confucius. The volume opens with chapters that reflect the latest scholarship on the disputed origins of the text and an overview of the broad commentarial tradition it generated. These are followed by chapters that individually explore key areas of the text’s philosophical landscape, articulating both the sense of concepts such as ren, li, and xiao as well as their place in the wider space of the text. A final section addresses prominent interpretive challenges and scholarly disputes in reading the Analects, evaluating, for example, the alignment between the Analects and contemporary moral theory and the contested nature of its religious sensibility. Dao Companion to the Analects offers a comprehensive and complete survey of the text's philosophical idiom and themes, as well as its history and some of the liveliest current debates surrounding it. This book is an ideal resource for both researchers and advanced students interested in gaining greater insight into one of the earliest and most influential Confucian classics.

Who Wrote That? examines nine authorship controversies, providing an introduction to particular disputes and teaching students how to assess historical documents, archival materials, and apocryphal stories, as well as internet sources and news. Donald Ostrowski does not argue in favor of one side over another but focuses on the principles of attribution used to make each case. While furthering the field of authorship studies, Who Wrote That? provides an essential resource for instructors at all levels in various subjects. It is ultimately about historical detective work. Using Moses, Analects, the Secret Gospel of Mark, Abelard and Heloise, the Compendium of Chronicles, Rashid al-Din, Shakespeare, Prince Andrei Kurbskii, James MacPherson, and Mikhail Sholokov, Ostrowski builds concrete examples that instructors can use to help students uncover the legitimacy of authorship and to spark the desire to turn over the hidden layers of history so necessary to the craft.

Christianity and Confucianism: Culture, Faith and Politics, sets comparative textual analysis against the backcloth of 2000 years of cultural, political, and religious interaction between China and the West. As the world responds to China's rise and China positions herself for global engagement, this major new study reawakens and revises an ancient conversation. As a generous introduction to biblical Christianity and the Confucian Classics, Christianity and Confucianism tells a remarkable story of mutual formation and cultural indebtedness. East and West are shown to have shaped the mind, heart, culture, philosophy and politics of the other - and far more, perhaps, than either knows or would want to admit. Christopher Hancock has provided a rich and stimulating resource for scholars and students, diplomats and social scientists, devotees of culture and those who pursue wisdom and peace today.

This volume presents both a historical and a systematic examination of the philosophy of classical Confucianism. Taking into account newly unearthed materials and the most recent scholarship, it features contributions by experts in the field, ranging from senior scholars to outstanding early career scholars. The book first presents the historical development of classical Confucianism, detailing its development amidst a fading ancient political theology and a rising wave of creative humanism. It examines the development of the philosophical ideas of Confucius as well as his disciples and his grandson Zisi, the Zisi-Mencius School, Mencius, and Xunzi. Together with this historical development, the book analyzes and critically assesses the philosophy in the Confucian Classics and other major works of these philosophers. The second part systematically examines such philosophical issues as feeling and emotion, the aesthetic appreciation of music, wisdom in poetry, moral psychology, virtue ethics, political thoughts, the relation with the Ultimate Reality, and the concept of harmony in Confucianism. The Philosophy of Classical Confucianism offers an unparalleled examination to the philosophers, basic texts and philosophical concepts and ideas of Classical Confucianism as well as the recently unearthed bamboo slips related to Classical Confucianism. It will prove itself a valuable reference to undergraduate and postgraduate university students and teachers in philosophy, Chinese history, History, Chinese language and Culture.

Confucian Analects, written by legendary author Confucius, is widely considered to be one of the greatest classic texts of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, Confucian Analects is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Confucius is highly recommended. Published by Classic Books International and beautifully produced, Confucian Analects would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library.