The Oxford Handbook of Confucianism (OXFORD HANDBOOKS SERIES)

Confucianism has been a foundational component of East Asian culture, religion, society, and government for millennia, and its visibility and significance have continued to expand in recent decades. Confucianism is often elusive, challenging categories and theoretical stances of the academy and yet simultaneously seeming to merge with a broader culture. Confucianism has spread with Chinese emigration; it has also spread through the interest of American and European academics who have identified with its scholarly and ethical commitments. While it was once declared a dying tradition, today knowledge of Confucianism is vital to understanding and engaging modern East and Southeast Asia. Comprised of thirty-eight original essays by experts from a wide range of disciplines, The Oxford Handbook of Confucianism covers the Confucian tradition chronologically, geographically, and topically through textured and innovative examinations of foundational subjects and emerging topics in Confucian studies. Confucianism in China is critically examined, from ancient legends through medieval and early modern China to contemporary manifestations. Essays also consider the tradition in the wider East Asian culture and beyond, notably in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and the recently emerged ?Boston Confucianism.? A series of topical essays study Confucianism's always complicated integration with cultural, social, religious, and political forms, using a range of vantage points including gender, family, ethics, visual and literary arts, government, education, ritual, and modern culture. "A vast and complex tradition foundational to East Asian civilizations, Confucianism continues to be a cultural force of global significance. The Oxford Handbook of Confucianism is a collection of 38 essays that explore the variety, complexity, and richness of Confucianism over time and across regions. These essays are written to be of value to the educated public while presenting new scholarship and fresh perspectives from leading scholars in Confucian studies. Using a range of critical approaches, the volume is divided into four parts. Confucianism presents unique problems to study and interpretation, and the introductory section offers three essays exploring the history and criticism of East Asian and Western constructions of the tradition. The bulk of the volume's essays are divided into three parts. The first part considers Confucianism's development within the Chinese context, centering on historical moments, key figures, and formative texts. The second part analyzes the development, impact, and reach of Confucianism in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and "Boston" Confucianism. The final part offers topical studies of the impact of Confucianism in culture, politics and government, social structures, and ideology, exploring topics as wide-ranging as family, social structure, gender, visual and literary arts, government, ethics, religion, and ritual. Expansive in scope and sophisticated in approach, the Oxford Handbook of Confucianism presents a superb resource for study of this ancient, and still vibrant tradition"-- Provided by publisher