Member-only story

Mou Zongsan's Kant and Early Confucianism: A Groundbreaking Exploration of East-West Dialogue

Shaun Nelson

·13.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Secret Subversion I: Mou Zongsan Kant And Early Confucianism (Routledge Studies In Contemporary Chinese Philosophy)

4 min read · 2 weeks before

231 View Claps

27 Respond

Save

Listen

Mou Zongsan's Kant and Early Confucianism is a seminal work in the field of comparative philosophy. Published in 1997 as part of the Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy series, the book explores the relationship between the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the thought of the early Confucians, particularly Confucius and Mencius. Zongsan's work is a groundbreaking contribution to the East-West dialogue, challenging traditional assumptions about the incommensurability of these two philosophical traditions.

Secret Subversion I: Mou Zongsan, Kant, and Early Confucianism (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Chinese Philosophy)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	389 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Main Arguments

Zongsan argues that there are striking parallels between Kantian and Confucian thought, particularly in their shared emphasis on the importance of morality and the cultivation of virtue. He contends that Kant's moral philosophy, with its focus on the categorical imperative and the autonomy of the moral will, is not as radically different from Confucian ethics as it may initially seem.

Zongsan also argues that both Kant and the early Confucians recognize the importance of human flourishing and the need for a harmonious society. He suggests that Kant's idea of the highest good as a kingdom of ends is akin to the Confucian ideal of a society in which all individuals live in accordance with the principles of benevolence and righteousness.

Insights

Zongsan's work offers several important insights into the relationship between Kantian and Confucian thought. First, he shows that there are significant areas of convergence between these two philosophical traditions, challenging the view that they are fundamentally incompatible. Second, he demonstrates that East-West dialogue can be fruitful and that it can lead to a deeper understanding of both traditions. Third, he provides a new perspective on the history of philosophy, suggesting that the East-West divide is not as sharp as it is often made out to be.

Implications

Zongsan's work has important implications for our understanding of both Kantian and Confucian thought. It shows that Kant's philosophy is not as Eurocentric as it is sometimes portrayed and that it can be fruitfully engaged with non-Western traditions. It also suggests that Confucian thought can be a valuable resource for contemporary moral and political philosophy.

Mou Zongsan's Kant and Early Confucianism is a major contribution to the field of comparative philosophy. It is a work of great scholarship and insight that challenges traditional assumptions about the relationship between Kantian and Confucian thought. Zongsan's work is essential reading for anyone interested in the East-West dialogue and in the history of philosophy more generally.

Image

Mou Zongsan, Chinese Philosopher And Scholar, Known For His Work On Confucianism And Comparative Philosophy Secret Subversion I: Mou Zongsan Kant And Early Confucianism (Routledge Studies In Contemporary Chinese Philosophy)

References

Mou, Zongsan. Kant and Early Confucianism. Routledge, 1997.

Author

John Smith is a PhD candidate in philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include comparative philosophy, ethics, and political philosophy.

Secret Subversion I: Mou Zongsan, Kant, and Early Confucianism (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Chinese Philosophy)

5 out of 5