Book Title

Lives of Confucius: Civilization's Greatest Sage Through the Ages

Authors

Thomas A. Wilson, Hamilton CollegeFollow
Michael Nylan, University of California - Berkeley

Type of Work

Book

Files

Publication Date

2010

Publisher

Doubleday

City

New York, NY, USA

ISBN

9780385510691

Abstract

Confucius—“Master Kung” (551–479 BCE), the Chinese thinker and social philosopher—originated teachings that have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese thought and life over many centuries. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, justice, and appropriateness in social relationships. In time these values gained prom­inence in China over other doctrines, such as Taoism and even Buddhism. His thoughts later developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism.

Today there remain many mysteries about the actual circumstances of his life, and the development of his influence has yet to be encapsulated for the general reader. But with Michael Nylan and Thomas Wilson’s Lives of Confucius, many mysteries are laid to rest about his historical life, and fascinating details emerge about how his mythic stature evolved over time, right up to the present day.

Notes

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Hamilton Areas of Study

Asian Studies, History