The ways of Confucianism : investigations in Chinese philosophy

Confucianism is one of the most influential philosophical traditions in the world, with profound and challenging insights on human nature, virtue, ethical cultivation, and the foundations of morality and civilization. In this collection of essays, most never before published, Nivison presents nuanced and subtle interpretations of key thinkers from over two thousand years in the Confucian movement. Contents Acknowledgments 1 Introduction 1.1 Characteristics of Nivison’s Work 1.2 Paper Summaries 1.3 Editorial Issues 2 “Virtue” in Bone and Bronze 3 The Paradox of ‘Virtue’ 4 Can Virtue Be Self-Taught? 5 Golden Rule Arguments in Chinese Moral Philosophy 6 Weakness of Will in Ancient Chinese Philosophy 7 Motivation and Moral Action in Mencius 8 Philosophical Voluntarism in Fourth-Century China 9 Two Roots or One? 10 Problems in Problems in the Mengzi: 6A3-5 11 Problems in the Mengzi: 7A17 12 On Translating Mencius 13 Xunzi on "Human Nature" 14 The Philosophy of Wang Yangming 15 Moral Decision in Wang Yangming:The Problem of Chinese “Existentialism” 16 The Philosophy of Zhang Xuecheng Notes Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. “Virtue” in Bone and Bronze Chapter 3. The Paradox of ‘Virtue’ Chapter 4. Can Virtue Be Self-Taught? Chapter 5. Golden Rule Arguments in Chinese Moral Philosophy Chapter 6. Weakness of Will in Ancient Chinese Philosophy Chapter 7. Motivation and Moral Action in Mencius Chapter 8. Philosophical Voluntarism in Fourth-Century China Chapter 9. Two Roots or One? Chapter 10. Problems in the Mengzi: 6A3-5 Chapter 11. Problems in the Mengzi'. 7A17 Chapter 12. On Translating Mencius Chapter 13. Xunzi on “Human Nature” Chapter 14. The Philosophy of Wang Yangming Chapter 15. Moral Decision in Wang Yangming: The Problem of Chinese “Existentialism” Chaptar 16. The Philosophy of Zhang Xuecheng Chapter 17. Two Kinds of “Naturalism”: Dai Zhen and Zhang Xuecheng Annotated References Index of Names and Subjects Index Locorum

Confucianism is one of the world's most influential philosophical traditions, offering profound and challenging insights on human nature, virtue, ethical cultivation, and the foundations of civilization. In The Ways of Confucianism, David S. Nivison brings out the exciting variety within Confucian thought, as he interprets and elucidates key thinkers from over two thousand years, from Confucius himself, through Mencius and Xunzi, to such later Confucians as Wang Yangming, Dai Zhen, and Zhang Xuecheng. Professor Nivison, who retired from Stanford University in 1988, brings to bear a rare combination of skills in both sinology and Western philosophy. He wields the methodological tools of a classical philology and Anglo-American philosophy to weave a fascinating account of how Confucians have grappled with momentous human issues, how they have responded to their intellectual rivals, and how their thinking has evolved through the centuries.

"Is human nature good or evil? Does knowledge guarantee right action, or can humans do what is wrong when they know what is right? What parts should teachers, classic texts, and our own moral intuitions play in our ethical cultivation?" "Confucianism is one of the world's most influential philosophical traditions, offering profound and challenging insights on human nature, virtue, and the foundations of civilization. In The Ways of Confucianism, David S. Nivision brings out the exciting variety within Confucian thought, as he interprets and elucidates key thinkers from over two thousand years, from Confucius himself, through Mencius and Xunzi, to Wang Yangming, Dai Zhen, and Zhang Xuecheng. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET. Confucianism is one of the most influential philosophical traditions in the world. This collection of essays presents the nuanced and subtle interpretations of key thinkers from over two thousands years in the Confucian movement, such as Mencius, Xunzi, and Zhang Xuecheng.