Confucianism and Its Rivals: Lectures Delivered in the University Hall of Dr. William's Library, London, October-December, 1914 (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Herbert Allen Giles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0331678608 ISBN 13: 9780331678604

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2017

Synopsis

Confucianism and Its Rivals presents a clear, accessible map of China’s spiritual thought across millennia.

This volume surveys Confucianism in dialogue with Taoism, Buddhism, and other schools, tracing how ideas of God, the soul, virtue, and governance evolved from ancient to medieval times. Rich in anecdotes and practical insights, it illuminates how Chinese thinkers balanced morality, ritual, and belief.

This edition engages readers with the origins of key concepts, biographical sketches of influential figures, and a grounded discussion of how religious ideas shaped daily life, politics, and culture. It emphasizes comparison over controversy, offering a measured view of the interactions between Confucian ethics and rival traditions.

• Explore how early Chinese thought framed God, nature, and the afterlife through a long arc of lectures and discussion.
• Learn about pivotal figures such as Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Chuang Tzu, and how their ideas influenced ethical life and governance.
• See how the Canon of Changes and Taoist notions of inaction and harmony relate to moral practice and social duty.
• Understand how Buddhism, Taoism, and other movements interacted with Confucianism across different periods.

Ideal for readers of religious history, philosophy, and East Asian studies who want a clear introduction to the conversation between Confucianism and its rivals.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0331678608
• ISBN 13: 9780331678604
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 284