Boston Confucianism: Portable Tradition in the Late-Modern World (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

Argues that Confucianism can be important to the contemporary, global conversation of philosophy and should not be confined to an East Asian context. Is it possible to be a Confucian without being East Asian, as so many philosophers have been Platonists without being Greek? Strangely enough, many scholars would answer in the negative, citing the inextricable connection between Confucianism and East Asian culture. Boston Confucianism argues to the contrary, maintaining that Confucianism can be important to the contemporary global conversation of philosophy and should not be confined to an East Asian context. It promotes a multicultural philosophy of culture and makes a contribution to Confucian-Christian dialogue, showing that the relations among the world's great civilizations today is not a "clash", as Samuel Huntington has argued, but an entanglement whose roots are worth sorting and whose contemporary mutual developments are worth promoting. Argues that Confucianism can be important to the contemporary, global conversation of philosophy and should not be confined to an East Asian context.Is it possible to be a Confucian without being East Asian, as so many philosophers have been Platonists without being Greek? Strangely enough, many scholars would answer in the negative, citing the inextricable connection between Confucianism and East Asian culture. Boston Confucianism argues to the contrary, maintaining that Confucianism can be important to the contemporary global conversation of philosophy and should not be confined to an East Asian context. It promotes a multicultural philosophy of culture and makes a contribution to Confucian-Christian dialogue, showing that the relations among the world's great civilizations today is not a “clash,” as Samuel Huntington has argued, but an entanglement whose roots are worth sorting and whose contemporary mutual developments are worth promoting.Robert Cummings Neville is Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at Boston University and Dean of the School of Theology. He is past president of the International Society for Chinese Philosophy, the American Academy of Religion, and the Metaphysical Society of America. Neville is the author and editor of many books, including most recently The Recovery of Philosophy in America: Essays in Honor of John Edwin Smith, also published by SUNY Press. Is It Possible To Be A Confucian Without Being East Asian, As So Many Philosophers Have Been Platonists Without Being Greek? Strangely Enough, Many Scholars Would Answer In The Negative, Citing The Inextricable Connection Between Confucianism And East Asia Culture. Boston Confucianism Argues To The Contrary, Maintaining That Confucianism Can Be Important To The Contemporary Global Conversation Of Philosophy And Should Not Be Confined To An East Asian Context. It Promotes A Multicultural Philosophy Of Culture And Makes A Contribution To Confucian-christian Dialogue, Showing That The Relations Among The World's Great Civilizations Today Is Not A Clash, As Samuel Huntington Has Argued, But An Entanglement Whose Roots Are Worth Sorting And Whose Contemporary Mutual Developments Are Worth Promoting.--jacket. 1. The Short Happy Life Of Boston Confucianism -- 2. Confucianism On Culture -- 3. Confucianism In The Contemporary Situation -- 4. Confucian Spirituality -- 5. Tu Weiming's Confucianism -- 6. Motif Analysis East And West -- 7. Motifs Of Being -- 8. Motifs Of Transcendence -- 9. Resources For A Conception Of Selfhood -- 10. Confucianism, Christianity, And Multiple Religious Identity. Robert Cummings Neville. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 223-235) And Index. "Is it possible to be a Confucian without being East Asian, as so many philosophers have been Platonists without being Greek? Strangely enough, many scholars would answer in the negative, citing the inextricable connection between Confucianism and East Asia culture. Boston Confucianism argues to the contrary, maintaining that Confucianism can be important to the contemporary global conversation of philosophy and should not be confined to an East Asian context. It promotes a multicultural philosophy of culture and makes a contribution to Confucian-Christian dialogue, showing that the relations among the world's great civilizations today is not a "clash," as Samuel Huntington has argued, but an entanglement whose roots are worth sorting and whose contemporary mutual developments are worth promoting."--BOOK JACKET.