The Intellectual Foundations of China (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This brief paperback introduction to the basic ideas that underlie traditional Chinese culture focuses on the "Golden Age" (600 B.C.-150 B.C.) of Chinese philosophy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 2 edition (September 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0075540304
• ISBN-13: 978-0075540304
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #877,138 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent framework to begin study of Chinese philosophy, October 16, 2003

By	William L. Devanney (Menlo Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Mote's monograph outlines the foundations of Chinese thought from Confucius (551-479 BC) through the bureaucratic innovations of the first dynasty (the Ch'in, 221-206 BC). The book covers early Chinese cosmology, Confucianism and its derivative schools, Taoism, Mohism, and the pragmatic successes of history's first totalitarian government -- the Ch'in State. It does not attempt to cover later influences such as Buddhism.

The actual text is short (114 pages) so Dr. Mote must use a concise (and occasionally dense) style to cover all this ground. When the reader finishes this book he is rewarded with an introductory understanding of each of these philosophies, how they developed, and how they influenced each other. An excellent jumping-off point for further studies. (Uses Wade-Giles and earlier romanizations).