Wing-tsit Chan (1901–1994)

A very comprehensive look at Chinese philosophy, marred by distracting in-text comments which would have been much better as footnotes. Possibly the most intriguing chapter is the last one, which looks at Chinese philosophy under Commmunism.

First received as a text book for a class on Eastern Philosophies at Oklahoma State in 1990, this volume has been an invaluable reference over the years. Admirably encapsulates some fairly impenetrable subject matter.

A great book if you're overwhelmed by the sheer amount and scope of chinese philosophy and you just want to know where to start. It provides a nice spine for further studies.

Translated and compiled by Wing-tsit Chan, a Harvard PhD. Extracts from Confucius, Mencius, Hsun Tzu,
With an Appendix on "translation" of certain words. For example CHI means subtle force, CH'I means a definite object, and CH'I means material force, including both matter and energy or ether.
Also, a Bibliography, Glossary of Chinese Characters, and a detailed Index.
Confucius (born 551 bc) rarely mentions "spiritual" life, but turns humanism into a driving force. Wishing to be prominent, show more he helped others to prominence.
Mencius, like Confucius, lived in a period of political struggle, moral choas, and intellectual conflicts -- 317 bc. Still, thought human nature was "good". Contemporary of Plato. show less