Dao Companion to Classical Confucian Philosophy

This book is the first in its kind, in that it offers a handbook on the Classical Confucian Philosophy in both historical and systematic approach. Taking into account the newly unearth materials and most recent scholarship, the first part will present the historical development of Classical Confucianism by introducing the rising of Classical Confucianism upon the fading of ancient political theology and the arrival of creative humanism, and the development of philosophical ideas of the major philosophers and their thoughts, such as Confucius, Confucius’ disciples, Confucius’ grandson Zisi and the Zisi-Mencius School, Mencius, and finally Xunzi. Together with the historical development, the philosophy in the Confucian Scriptures and the major works of these philosophers are analytically and critically made explicit and assessed. Since there are some philosophical ideas and systematic issues comparable to today’s philosophical concern yet uncovered by the historical section, we will present them in the second part that deals with feeling and emotion, aesthetic appreciation, wisdom in poetry, moral psychology, virtue ethics, self-cultivation and relation with the Ultimate Reality, etc. A chapter of conclusion will deal with the Confucian concept of harmony and its relevance to today’s world.Up to now, there is no other book that provides the same level of comprehensiveness and analysis. All contributors are experts in the field, ranging from senior scholars to outstanding early career scholars.