Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction

Product details

Confucianism (A Very Short Introduction) by Daniel K. Gardner... Understanding the nature of China is inextricably linked to understanding Confucianism. The teachings of Confucius—first formulated in the sixth century BCE—have dominated Chinese society, politics, economics, and ethics. This Very Short Introduction explores the key philosophical ideas of the Confucian tradition and their profound influence on China’s ideology, imperial government, civil service examination system, family life, and social relations over twenty-six centuries. It focuses on two of Confucius’s most important philosophical questions: the characteristics of a good man and the characteristics of good government. The book demonstrates their enduring relevance in our time and explores how the Confucian tradition can survive in the face of Western technology and ideologies.