Explores proper timing and the arts of rulership in the work that inspired China's first emperor.
Master Lue's Spring and Autumn Annals (Lueshi chunqiu) inspired the king who united the warring states to become China's first emperor. In this work on the Lueshi chunqiu, author James D. Sellmann finds that the concept of "proper timing" makes the work's diverse philosophies coherent. He discusses the life and times of its author, Lue Buwei, and the structure of the work. Sellmann also analyzes the role of human nature, the justification of the state, and the significance of cosmic, historical, and personal timing in the Lueshi chunqiu. An organic instrumentalist position begins to emerge from the diverse theories of the Lueshi chunqiu. In conclusion, Sellmann looks at the implications of the syncretic philosophies of the Lueshi chunqiu for contemporary conceptions of time, human nature, political order, and social and environmental ethics.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"...an eponymously timely discussion of a topic that is often overlooked in recent studies of Chinese Philosophy." - Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy
"Sellmann's book ... is relevant not only as a study on a yet somewhat neglected text but also as an exploration into some basic concepts of ancient Chinese thought that, particularly in the case of time and timing, have not yet been given adequate academic attention." - China Review International
"Sellmann's is an engaging and interesting study of a fascinating work, and should appeal to all interested in philosophy and intellectual history of the times around and during Qin rule, with special appeal for anyone interested in applied eclecticism." - Nachrichten
"Sellmann ... provides an important contribution to our understanding of the common roots of Confucian, Taoist, and even Buddhist ideals. Overall, a sound, thoughtful, and worthwhile analysis." - Religious Studies Review
"The book is grounded in the original text of the Lueshi chunqiu; it offers a new perspective on zajia, or syncretic philosophy in ancient China. Although 'time' and/or 'proper timing' are discussed in Western philosophy, the concept has received little direct attention in Chinese philosophy, which is somewhat unusual because the issue is so central to understanding Chinese thinking. Sellmann provides a significant and devoted study to the concept of time and proper timing and the book is a first step in addressing the topic's neglect." - David Jones, Kennesaw State University
"The book presents its own philosophy which Sellmann clarifies by emphasizing the idea of timing in both the extrinsic and intrinsic sense. It is important as a survey of earlier traditional positions, as well as for its influence on later forms of Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, and even Daoism and Buddhism." - Alan Fox, University of Delaware
Reihe
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Produkt-Hinweis
Fadenheftung
Gewebe-Einband
Maße
Höhe: 22 mm
Breite: 159 mm
Dicke: 233 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-5231-8 (9780791452318)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
James D. Sellmann is Professor of Philosophy and Director of East Asian Studies at the University of Guam.
Acknowledgments
A Note Concerning Conventions Used in This Book
Chapter 1. Introduction: The Lueshi chunqiu's Background and Foreground
Lue Buwei and the LSCQ
Season Timing (chunqiu) and the Nature of the LSCQ
The LSCQ's Impact
The Mythification of History
Chapter 2. The LSCQ's Programmatic Conceptions of Xing: Cultivating Desires in the Process of Life
The LSCQ's Seasonal Arrangement of Traditional Theories on Xing
Chapter 3. An Emergent Social Order
Human Character and Social Order: An Analogy
A Survey of Pre-Qin Organic and Instrumental Positions and Their Impact on the LSCQ
The LSCQ's Uni?ed Eclectic Conception on the Origin and Role of the State: An Organic Instrumental Position
Chapter 4. Proper Timing in the Cosmic, Historical, and Moral Realms
Cosmic and Seasonal Proper Timing
Historical Proper Timing
Proper Timing in Moral and Interpersonal Relations
Chapter 5. Applying Proper Timing to Contemporary Issues
Is Social and Political Philosophy Culture Bound?
Contemporary Philosophy and the LSCQ
Appendix I. Phenomenological and Etymological Conceptions of Timing (Shi)
Appendix II. A Study of Xingming zhi Qing in the LSCQ: The Achievement of One's Character (Xing) in One's Natural Relations (Ming)
Notes
Bibliography
Index
