Confucianism : an introduction / by Ronnie L. Littlejohn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Littlejohn, Ronnie, 1949- author.

Series:

I.B. Tauris introductions to religion.

I.B. Tauris introductions to religion

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Confucianism--History.

Confucianism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (257 p.)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

London : I.B. Tauris, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"It is arguably Confucianism, not Communism, which lies at the core of China's deepest sense of self. Although reviled by Chinese intellectuals of the 1950s-1990s, who spoke of it as 'yellow silt clotting the arteries of the country', Confucianism has defied eradication, remaining a fundamental part of the nation's soul for 2500 years. And now, as China assumes greater ascendancy on the world economic stage, it is making a strong comeback as a pragmatic philosophy of personal as well as corporate transformation, popular in home, boardroom and in current political discussion. What is this complex system of ideology that stems from the teachings of a remarkable man called Confucius (Kongzi), who lived in the distant sixth century BCE? Though he left no writings of his own, the oral teachings recorded by the founder's disciples in the 'Analects' left a profound mark on later Chinese politics and governance. They outline a system of social cohesiveness dependent upon personal virtue and self-control. For Confucius, society's harmony relied upon the appropriate behaviour of each individual within the social hierarchy; and its emphasis on practical ethics has led many to think of Confucianism as a secular philosophy rather than a religion. In this new, comprehensive introduction, Ronnie Littlejohn argues rather that Confucianism is profoundly spiritual, and must be treated as such. He offers full coverage of the tradition's sometimes neglected metaphysics, as well as its varied manifestations in education, art, literature and culture."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contents:

Cover; Contents; Acknowledgements; Preliminary Considerations and Conventions; Major Periods in Chinese History; Introduction: The Story of Confucianism; Chapter I: The World into which Confucius Came; Chapter II: What Confucius Taught: The Analects; Chapter III: The Formation of Classical Confucianism; Chapter IV: Confucian Ascendancy in the Han Dynasty; Chapter V: Blending Confucianism with Other Worldviews; Chapter VI: Confucianism and Challenges from a Foreign Land; Chapter VII: The Renaissance Period of Confucianism; Chapter VIII: Conversations with Master Zhu

Chapter IX: Confucianism in New Homes and New HeartsChapter X: The Contemporary Period; A Quick Guide to Pronunciation; Illustrations, Map and Picture Credits; Glossary of Titles; Glossary of Names and Terms; Notes; References; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613048349

9780755625376

0755625374

9781283048347

1283048345

9780857718921

0857718924

OCLC:

713355172