Confucius A Guide for the Perplexed [Hardcover]

Of the three main teachings in Chinese culture, Confucianism has exerted the most profound and lasting influence in China.While Confucianism (a term coined by Westerners) refers to a tradition (Ruism) that predated Confucius, it is most closely associated with Confucius (551-479 BCE), who determined its later development. Confucius' ideas are reflected in his conversations with students, mostly recorded in the Analects. However, this book also brings into discussion those sayings of Confucius that are recorded in other texts, greatly expanding our perspective of the original Confucius. Scholars in the past, unsure about the authenticity of such sayings, have been reluctant to use them in discussing Confucius' view. However, recent archaeological findings have shown that at least some of them are reliable.
Confucius: A Guide for the Perplexed is a clear and thorough account of authentic Confucius and his ideas, underscoring his contemporary relevance, not only to Chinese people but also to people in the West.

A clear and thorough account of Confucius and his ideas, underscoring his relevance to both Chinese people and to people in the West.

???A fair and thoughtful overview of Confucius's philosophy by a scholar who has worked with the relevant texts for many years. A particular strength of the book is the author's sensitivity to current problems in philosophy, especially ethics; through sympathetic reading and argumentation, Huang shows that Confucian ideas are as relevant today as in the past.??? ???Paul Goldin, Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at University of Pennsylvania, USA

???Yong Huang's book is a wonderful, lively introduction to Confucianism. Huang addresses basic questions about Confucius and his views, but his treatment of them invites much more than basic understanding, discussing both Confucius and the tradition of interpreting him with rich complexity and sophistication. Huang does not shrink froml0