Confucianism and women : a philosophical interpretation / Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rosenlee, Li-Hsiang Lisa, 1968-

Series:

SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture.

SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Women in Confucianism--China.

Women in Confucianism.

Confucianism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (212 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Confucianism and Women argues that Confucian philosophy—often criticized as misogynistic and patriarchal—is not inherently sexist. Although historically bound up with oppressive practices, Confucianism contains much that can promote an ethic of gender parity. Attacks on Confucianism for gender oppression have marked China's modern period, beginning with the May Fourth Movement of 1919 and reaching prominence during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. The West has also readily characterized Confucianism as a foundation of Chinese women's oppression. Author Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee challenges readers to consider the culture within which Confucianism has functioned and to explore what Confucian thought might mean for women and feminism.She begins the work by clarifying the intellectual tradition of Confucianism and discussing the importance of the Confucian cultural categories yin-yang and nei-wai (inner-outer) for gender ethics. In addition, the Chinese tradition of biographies of virtuous women and books of instruction by and for women is shown to provide a Confucian construction of gender. Practices such as widow chastity, footbinding, and concubinage are discussed in light of Confucian ethics and Chinese history. Ultimately, Rosenlee lays a foundation for a future construction of Confucian feminism as an alternative ethical ground for women's liberation.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Confucianism, Chinese-Ness, and Ren Virtuous Personhood

Yin-Yang, Gender Attributes, and Complementarity

Nei-Wai, Gender Distinctions, and Ritual Propriety

Didactic Texts for Women and the Womanly Sphere of NEI

Chinese Sexism and Confucianism

Toward a Confucian Feminism—Feminist Ethics in-the-Making

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-195) and index.

ISBN:

9780791481790

0791481794

9781423773474

1423773470

OCLC:

69241542