Confucian Moral Self Cultivation (Rockwell Lecture Series) [Hardcover]

Philip J. Ivanhoe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0820422002 | ISBN-13: 978-0820422008 | Publication Date: December 1, 1993

A concise and accessible introduction to the evolution of the concept of moral self-cultivation in the Chinese Confucian tradition, this volume begins with an explanation of the pre-philosophical development of ideas central to this concept, followed by an examination of the specific treatment of self cultivation in the philosophy of Kongzi ("Confucius"), Mengzi ("Mencius"), Xunzi, Zhu Xi, Wang Yangming, Yan Yuan and Dai Zhen. In addition to providing a survey of the views of some of the most influential Confucian thinkers on an issue of fundamental importance to the tradition, Ivanhoe also relates their concern with moral self-cultivation to a number of topics in the Western ethical tradition. Bibliography and index are included.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Philip J. Ivanhoe is Associate Professor of Philosophy, and Asian Languages and Literature, University of Michigan. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 116 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820422002
• ISBN-13: 978-0820422008
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,931,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview!, November 19, 2000

By 

bryan12603 (Poughkeepsie, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confucian Moral Self Cultivation (Paperback)

Ivanhoe provides a readable and reliable overview of some of the major figures in Confucianism from over 2,500 years. Each Confucian is discussed in terms of two themes: the relative emphasis he gives to study and reflection, and his conception of human nature. Confucius himself was somewhat ambiguous on these points (leading to much dispute among later followers). Mencius, since he believed that human nature is good, said that reflection on our innate instincts could provide us with ethical guidance. Xunzi disagreed with Mencius, arguing that human nature is bad, so we must study to reform our nature. Later Confucians like Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming were deeply influenced by the Buddhist notion of a transpersonal self that all humans share. However, Zhu Xi thought that our selfish desires heavily obscured our good, original nature, so we must study in order to better understand our own nature. In contrast, Wang Yangming, while recognizing the danger of selfish desires, warned against the dangers of purely academic study. He held that each of us has, prior to study, the ability to exercise a "pure knowing," through which we both know the good and will act in accordance with it.

I use this book a lot in my classes: I recommend it highly.

(This book is a revised version of a much more expensive hardback edition published by Peter Lang.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, October 3, 2002

By 

"mc_recognize" (Mississauga, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confucian Moral Self Cultivation (Paperback)

If you are a beginner or student of Chinese philosophy, you should buy this book. This is a great introduction to Confucian thinkers written in accessible and clear language. I found it to be extremely easy to read and very easy to understand. Like the anthology he co-edited with Dr. Van Norden (whose review is below), this book is excellent. And it is very reasonably priced as well.

- J. McCausland

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, August 12, 2003

By 

Randy Herring (Spokane, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confucian Moral Self Cultivation (Paperback)

The Confucian tradition [of moral self cultivation] spanning over 2,500 years - Kongzi ("Confucius" - 551-479 B.C.E.), Mengzi ("Mencius" - 391-308 B.C.E.), Xunzi ("Hsun Tzu" - 310-219 B.C.E.), Zhu Xi (1130-1200 C.E.), Wang Yangming (1472-1529 C.E.), Yan Yuan (1635-1704 C.E.), Dai Zhen (1723-1777 C.E.) - in a nutshell! Organized, clear, concise, superb! Enriching endnotes with works cited for further research/reading.

A highly recommended first text reading for an overview of Chinese philosophy for the professor of Chinese philosophy to student or layperson!