Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy presents core texts from the most influential Chinese philosophers of the classical period (600-200 BCE). The anthology includes selections from Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi, translated with modern readers in mind. Each philosopher's section begins with historical context and biographical information to ground the subsequent writings. The translations maintain the original meaning while using clear, contemporary language that makes these ancient works accessible to students and general readers. The selections highlight key concepts in Chinese philosophy including human nature, moral cultivation, good governance, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Extensive annotations provide cultural and philosophical background throughout the text. This collection demonstrates how classical Chinese philosophical traditions wrestled with fundamental questions about ethics, politics, and the human condition - questions that remain relevant to modern discourse and society.

Readers view this as a clear introduction to major Chinese philosophical texts, with particular praise for the quality of translations and helpful annotations. Likes: - Accessible translations that maintain scholarly rigor - Comprehensive footnotes providing cultural/historical context - Selection covers key texts and thinkers systematically - Format allows comparison between different schools of thought Dislikes: - Some find the excerpts too brief - A few readers note minor translation disagreements - Limited coverage of Neo-Confucianism - Paper quality in newer editions criticized as thin Notable Review: "The translations strike an excellent balance between readability and accuracy. Perfect for undergraduate courses but also valuable for general readers." - Goodreads reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (178 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (42 ratings) Used frequently in university courses, with students noting it serves well as both a classroom text and reference book.

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🎯 The book includes seven of the most influential philosophical texts from China's "Warring States" period (403-221 BCE), presenting complete works rather than just excerpts 🏛️ Philip J. Ivanhoe, one of the editors, is recognized for developing the field of Sino-Japanese philosophy, which examines the relationship between Chinese and Japanese philosophical traditions 📚 The translations in this anthology were specifically created for contemporary students, avoiding archaic language while maintaining scholarly accuracy 🔄 The text includes the complete Daodejing, one of the most translated works in world literature, with over 250 different English translations published 🤝 The book represents a unique collaboration between specialists in Chinese philosophy and experts in Western philosophy, creating translations that bridge Eastern and Western philosophical traditions