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Reinventing Confucianism The New
Confucian Movement Umberto Bresciani Variétés Sinologiques no.90 © Taipei Ricci Institute, 2001 652 pages / 16 x 21.5 cm / hard cover Language : English ISBN 957-9390-07-X USD 35 / Euro 35 / NT 580 |
Reinventing Confucianism The New Confucian Movement Based on extensive research spanning almost two
decades, this book is a pioneer presentation of the New Confucian Movement, a
cultural movement which developed in China in the aftermath of the 1919 May
Fourth Movement. Beginning with a brief history of the movement and the major
ideas of three generations of leaders, Reinventing Confucianism is a
complete survey from the 1920’s to the present. The body of the book offers, in separate chapters,
the life and thought of eleven main figures representative of the first and
second generations of the New Confucian Movement, all of whom were important
figures of the philosophical development of China in the 20th
century. They are: Ling Shuming, the forerunner of the movement; Ma Yifu, the
Confucian hermit; Xiong Shili, the metaphysician; Zhang Junmai, an advocate
of political democracy; Feng Youlan, the renowned philosopher; He Lin, a
follower of Hegel; Qian Mu, the historian; Fang Dongmei, the philosophical
poet; Tang Junyi, the spiritual philosopher; Xu Fuguan, the political and
social columnist; and finally Mou Zongsan, creator of an elaborate
metaphysical system considered by many to be the pinnacle of the
philosophical endeavors of the others. In addition, the author explores the leading figures
of the third generation of the movement, and discusses the renaissance of
Confucian studies in contemporary China. Reinventing Confucianism is
the most complete assessment to date of the accomplishments, limitations, and
future expectations of a movement now situated at the center of the Chinese
intellectual landscape. This book is a precious reference for anyone
interested in the history of
Chinese philosophy and culture. Its focus on comparative culture and
thought makes it an indispensable tool for research and teaching in these
fields. Dr. Umberto Bresciani received his M.A. and Ph.D. in
Chinese Literature from National Taiwan University. He also holds
a B.A. in religious studies (ITS, Parma, Italy), and a B.A. in Chinese
Studies (University of Maryland, U.S.A.). He has lived in Taiwan for
thirty years. His main research interest is Chinese philosophical
and religious thought and comparative cultural and theological studies.
He is currently a Researcher of the International Centre for Art,
Culture, and Society (Parma, Italy). |
