Eastern Philosophy: The Basics

by Harrison; Victoria S.

• ISBN13: 9780415587334
• ISBN10: 0415587336
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2012-09-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Eastern Philosophy: The Basicsis an essential introduction to major Indian and Chinese philosophies, both past and present. Exploring familiar metaphysical and ethical questions from the perspectives of different Eastern philosophies, including Confucianism, Daoism, and strands of Buddhism and Hinduism, this book covers key figures, issues, methods and concepts. Questions discussed include: What is the 'self'? Is human nature inherently good or bad? How is the mind related to the world? How can you live an authentic life? What is the fundamental nature of reality? Throughout the book the relationships between Eastern Philosophy, Western Philosophy and the questions reflective people ask within the contemporary world are brought to the fore. With timelines highlighting key figures and their contributions, a list of useful websites and further reading suggestions for each topic, this engaging overview of fundamental ideas in Eastern Philosophy is valuable reading for all students of philosophy and religion, especially those seeking to understand Eastern perspectives.

Author Biography

Victoria S. Harrison is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, UK. She has extensive experience of teaching Indian, and Chinese philosophies at undergraduate level in both the UK and the USA.

Table of Contents

List of figures and tables	p. xiii
Acknowledgements	p. xiv
Introduction	p. 1
What is 'eastern philosophy'?	p. 1
Philosophy as a cross-cultural phenomenon	p. 4
Philosophical questions	p. 6
Philosophy in India	p. 6
Philosophy in China	p. 14
Terminology and translations	p. 19
The philosopher's dilemma	p. 21
What happens next?	p. 22
References and further reading	p. 23
Reason	p. 25
Ignorance	p. 25
Argument	p. 27
Debate	p. 29
Knowledge	p. 32
Inference	p. 35
Causation	p. 37
Scepticism	p. 39
Perspectives	p. 42
Logic	p. 43
Summary of Chapter 1	p. 47
References and further reading	p. 47
Reality	p. 49
Origins	p. 50
Existence	p. 55
Monism	p. 55
Dualism	p. 62
Pluralism	p. 67
Experience	p. 69
The nature of things	p. 70
Ultimate reality	p. 72
Summary of Chapter 2	p. 73
References and further reading	p. 73
Persons	p. 75
Self and world	p. 75
Self in the Upanisads	p. 79
Rebirth	p. 80
Karma	p. 81
Freedom	p. 85
Individuals	p. 86
No abiding self	p. 88
Dependent co-arising	p. 95
Liberation	p. 98
Summary of Chapter 3	p. 99
References and further reading	p. 99
Virtue	p. 101
Tradition	p. 101
The Way	p. 105
Virtue and relationships	p. 106
Goodness	p. 107
Rites	p. 108
Self-cultivation	p. 110
Impartial care	p. 112
Human nature	p. 117
Altruism	p. 123
Summary of Chapter 4	p. 125
References and further reading	p. 126
Authenticity	p. 128
Egoism	p. 129
Dao	p. 131
Nature	p. 134
Passivity	p. 134
Opposites	p. 135
Vice	p. 137
Non-action	p. 138
Ways of being	p. 140
Exemplary persons	p. 144
Legalism	p. 147
Summary of Chapter 5	p. 148
References and further reading	p. 149
Mind	p. 152
Words and things	p. 153
Individuals and universals	p. 155
Emptiness and insight	p. 155
Enlightenment	p. 163
Principles	p. 165
The problem of the many and the one	p. 167
Transcendence and immanence	p. 168
Introspection	p. 170
Universal Mind	p. 172
Sageliness	p. 174
Summary of Chapter 6	p. 175
References and further reading	p. 176
Conclusion	p. 178
Unexplored terrain	p. 182
Global philosophy	p. 182
References and further reading	p. 183
timelines	p. 185
websites	p. 188
pronunciation	p. 190
General bibliography	p. 192
Index	p. 194
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