Confucian Reflections: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times is about the early Chinese Confucian classic the "e;Analects"e; Lunyu, attributed to the founder of the Confucian tradition, Kongzi (551-479 bce) and who is more commonly referred to as "e;Confucius"e; in the West. Philip J. Ivanhoe argues that the Analects is as relevant and important today as it has proven to be over the course of its more than 2000 year history, not only for the people who live in East Asian societies but for all human beings. The fact that this text has inspired so many talented people for so long, across a range of complex, creative, rich, and fascinating cultures offers a strong prima facie reason for thinking that the insights the Analects contains are not bound by either the particular time or cultural context in which the text took shape.
Chapter One: Being in and Learning from Tradition Chapter Two: Conceptions of Self, Society, and World Chapter Three: Social Practices Great and Small Chapter Four: Music in and of Our Lives Chapter Five: The Values of Families Chapter Six: Awareness, Attentiveness, and Care in and of the Everyday
Philip J. Ivanhoe is Chair Professor of East Asian & Comparative Philosophy & Religion at City University of Hong Kong.