This book is both a good introduction to Chinese philosophy and an invaluable reference tool for sinologists. Comments by important Chinese thinkers are arranged around sixty-four key concepts to illustrate their meaning and use through twenty-five centuries of Chinese philosophy. This unique guide was prepared by Zhang Dainian, one of China's most famous living philosophers. Zhang reaches back to include concepts in use before the oracle bones (c. 1350-1100 B.C.)-what could be called a philosophical "prehistory." But the focus of the (...) work is those concepts that gained currency in classical Chinese philosophy, especially those whose meanings are deeper and more difficult to grasp. Translated and edited by Edmund Ryden in consultation with the author, the book also includes helpful introductory commentary by Ryden for each section. (shrink)

How should the philosophical thought of the past be treated? Is the philosophical thought of the past two thousand years to be treated simply as an object of criticism, or does it contain a content that is worth inheriting and continuing? Those of us who are studying the history of philosophy must, in the process of our research, resolve this question, or at least we must have a clear understanding of this problem.

In the era of the Warring States, the school of Confucianism and the school of Mohism were acclaimed, equally and at the same time, as the two "prominent teachings" of Chinese thought. Nonetheless, by the time of the Han dynasty, the teaching of Mohism had receded and become terminated. On the other hand, while the school of Daoism was originally an eremetic school and was not considered a "prominent teaching," it nonetheless had widespread influence in China. Since the Han dynasty, (...) Confucianism became the dominant ideology in Chinese society. At the same time, the teachings of the Daoists also continued to grow and prosper, and became an important supplement to Confucianism. In any event, the philosophical ideas of both the Confucian school and the school of Daoism had major, profound, and longlasting impact on the development and evolution of China's traditional culture. (shrink)

In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, scholarship flourished and the hundred schools contended. The term "the hundred schools" is of ancient origin.