Chinese Thought: An Introduction

As China comes on the world stage again, people are increasingly becoming

interested in the philosophies and philosophers of that ancient land. The

Chinese philosophical tradition is a long and venerable one. It consists of

several streams-Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism

and post Neo-Confucianism. Their flow has been sustained by numerous

personages-Confucius, Lao Tzu, Mo Tzu, Mencius, Hsun Tzu, Han Fei, Chou

Tun-i, Chu Hsi, Wang Yang-ming and K'ang Yu-wei, to name but a few. This

book deals with the basic views of those philosophers and their influence

on Chinese history and culture. In no other country, perhaps, has

philosophy had such a determinate influence. This may be a lesson in itself

for the contemporary world in which people and nations in many instances

wander aimlessly and hesitatingly, having cut themselves off from their

traditional ground of being.

As teachnology continues to facilitate interaction between the people of

the world, it becomes even more urgent and important that we understand,

appreciate and accept each others' traditions and views of man and the

world.