Understanding Asian Philosophy: Ethics in the Analects, Zhuangzi, Dhammapada and [Paperback]

Understanding Asian Philosophyintroduces the four major Asian traditions through their key texts and thinkers: theAnalectsof Confucius, the Daoist textZhuangzi, the early BuddhistSuttas, and theBhagavad Gita. Approached through the central issue of ethical development, this engaging introduction reveals the importance of moral self-cultivation and provides a firm grounding in the origins of Asian thought.

Leading students confidently through complex texts,Understanding Asian Philosophyincludes a range of valuable features:
brief biographies of main thinkers such as Confucius and Zhuangzi
primary source material and translations
maps and timelines
comprehensive lists of recommended reading and links to further study resources
relevant philosophical questions at the end of each chapter

As well as sections on other texts and thinkers in the tradition, there are frequent references to contemporary examples and issues. Each chapter also discusses other thinkers in different traditions in the West, presenting various comparative approaches. With its clear focus on thinkers and texts,Understanding Asian Philosophyis an ideal undergraduate introduction to Chinese, Indian, Buddhist and Daoist thought.

Alexus McLeodis Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University, USA.

By focusing on transformative personal cultivation as the axis shared by these canonical Asian texts, McLeod makes a persuasive argument that while these texts certainly provide a framework for the ethical life, they are much more, demanding as they do different regimens of assiduous practice and the nurturing of profound religious sensibilities. Highly recommended for classroom use. Roger T. Ames, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA

Understanding Asian Philosophydelivers what its title promises in a refreshingly clear and concise manner. Well-focused onlÓ$