Fifty Eastern Thinkers (Routledge Key Guides) [Hardcover]

Diane Collinson (Author), Kathryn Plant (Author), Robert Wilkinson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415202833 | ISBN-13: 978-0415202831 | Publication Date: January 31, 2000 | Edition: 2nd Revised edition

Close analysis of the work of fifty major thinkers in the field of Eastern philosophy make this an excellent introduction to a fascinating area of study. The authors have drawn together thinkers from all the major Eastern philosophical traditions from the earliest times to the present day. The philosophers covered range from founder figures such as Zoroaster and Confucius to modern thinkers such as Fung Youlan and the present Dalai Lama. Introductions to major traditions and a glossary of key philosophical terms make this a comprehensive and accessible reference resource.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The book succeeds in striking a balance between the need for thorough and accurate development of a particular element in a philosopher's work, and the ability to engage the layman as well as the academic. The result is a versatility that captures the imagination and the interest of curious readers and researchers alike.' - Salam Hawa, The Philosophers' Magazine

About the Author

Diana Collinson, Kathryn Plant and Robert Wilkinson are all lecturers in philosophy at the Open University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2nd Revised edition edition (January 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415202833
• ISBN-13: 978-0415202831
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,337,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not reliable, May 5, 2011

By 

A reader (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifty Eastern Thinkers (Routledge Key Guides) (Paperback)

I am really only familiar enough with the Buddhist material to make a critical assessment on that, but what I encountered was not encouraging. The authors seem to have a very limited grasp of the material, drawn entirely from secondary sources, and they make erroneous assertions that are dead wrong and quite misleading. For instance, they state repeatedly "Theravada Buddhism divided into the Vaibhasika and Sautrantika schools" (pg 95). That is flat out wrong. "Theravada" is not a synonym for "Sravaka," the term that would have been appropriate in this case. The Vaibhasika and Sautrantika schools are both Sarvastivadin schools, not Theravada at all, and they are certainly not the only Sravaka schools, as the authors imply, or even the only Sthaviravada schools, if that's what they meant.

I consider it disgraceful that they would take money to write a seemingly authoritative book when they are apparently in no position to do so competently. The mere fact that they barely address the dated Orientalist notion that there is such thing as an "eastern thinker" is the first indication of trouble. Don't waste your time with this, there are much better sources available.