An Outline and An Annotated Bibliography of Chinese Philosophy

An Outline and An Annotated Bibliography of Chinese Philosophy presents a comprehensive overview of Chinese philosophical traditions from ancient times through the modern era. The book consists of two main sections - an outline mapping the development and key concepts of Chinese philosophy, and an extensive annotated bibliography of essential texts and commentaries. The outline portion traces major schools of thought including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism, along with their principal thinkers and doctrines. Chan provides chronological context and explains the relationships between different philosophical movements and their influence on Chinese culture and society. The annotated bibliography contains over 800 entries covering primary sources, translations, and scholarly works in both Chinese and Western languages. Each entry includes publication details and content summaries to guide research and further reading. This reference work serves as both an introduction to Chinese philosophy for newcomers and a valuable research tool for scholars, highlighting the depth and complexity of China's intellectual heritage through its systematic organization and thorough documentation.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Wing-tsit Chan's overall work: Readers consistently highlight Chan's clarity in translating complex Chinese philosophical concepts. His "Source Book in Chinese Philosophy" receives particular attention for making classical texts accessible to English speakers without oversimplifying the material. Liked: - Clear explanations of difficult concepts - Comprehensive coverage of major philosophical traditions - Detailed annotations and commentary - Reliable translations that maintain scholarly rigor - Useful as both reference and teaching material Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Some translations criticized as too literal - Limited coverage of modern developments - High price point of physical copies - Small print size in newer editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) Several academics note Chan's translations remain classroom standards decades later. One reader on Amazon writes: "Chan manages to explain complex ideas without watering them down." Multiple reviews mention the book's value as a comprehensive single-volume reference, though some find the academic tone challenging for casual readers.

A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy by Wing-Tsit Chan This comprehensive anthology contains primary source translations and commentaries of major Chinese philosophical texts from ancient times through the modern period.

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy by Karyn Lai The text examines Chinese philosophical concepts through thematic chapters that connect classical Chinese thought to contemporary philosophical discussions.

Chinese Philosophy: A Selective and Analytical Approach by Fung Yu-lan The work presents Chinese philosophical traditions through systematic analysis of key concepts, schools, and historical developments.

Neo-Confucian Terms Explained by Chen Chun This classical reference text provides detailed explanations of philosophical terminology used in Neo-Confucian discourse and writings.

The World of Thought in Ancient China by Benjamin I. Schwartz The book traces the development of Chinese philosophical thought from its origins through the Warring States period with focus on intellectual history and textual analysis.

🔮 Wing-tsit Chan was the first Chinese person to receive a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Harvard University, completing his doctorate in 1929 📚 The book serves as one of the earliest comprehensive English-language guides to Chinese philosophical texts and was instrumental in introducing Western scholars to Chinese philosophy in the mid-20th century 🎓 Chan translated numerous classical Chinese texts into English, including the influential "A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy," which became a standard textbook in many universities 🌏 The bibliography section covers works from the 6th century BCE to modern times, including rare texts that were previously unknown to Western academics 🔍 Chan's work helped establish the academic study of Chinese philosophy as a distinct field in Western universities, moving beyond the previous tendency to view it merely as a subset of religious studies