East Asian & Indian

Despite recent developments in the history of emotions and in comparative studies, sustained cross-cultural comparative studies of the emotions remain few and far between. Jingyi Jenny Zhao has produced the first major work that takes two philosophers from the ancient Greek and early Chinese traditions to stimulate discussion of an interdisciplinary nature on the rich and complex topic of the emotions-in particular, of shame. It features comparative analysis of Greek and Chinese texts while bringing the ancient materials to bear on modern controversies such as the role of shame in moral education and social cohesion.Although unalike in their social-historical and intellectual backgrounds, Aristotle and Xunzi bear striking similarities in several respects: they both conceptualize humans as essentially members of communities, as having a unique set of characteristics that set them apart from other living things, and as beings in need of moral training to fulfil their potential and become integrated into a well-ordered society. The two philosophers' discourses on shame reveal important insights into their ideals of human nature, moral education and the good life.This book tackles directly the methodological problems that are relevant to anyone interested in cross-cultural comparisons and organizes discussions of the ancient sources to facilitate a thorough integration of perspectives from the cultural traditions concerned. This approach provides sufficient focus to allow for detailed textual analysis while giving scope for making constant connections to the broader comparative questions at issue.

Eine Einführung in das Denken des Buddha, übersetzt in die Sprache der Gegenwart. Die Philosophie des Buddha bietet einen Einstieg in buddhistisches Denken, ohne Vorkenntnisse vorauszusetzen. Das Buch führt in zentrale Begriffe der buddhistischen Philosophie wie Leid, Karma oder Nirvana ein und erklärt anhand dieser Begriffe die Grundlagen des buddhistischen Denkens. Es zeigt, dass die zentralen Ideen des Buddha auch in der Gegenwart verständlich sind und als Philosophie, unabhängig von religiösen Bekenntnissen, diskutiert und verstanden werden können. Lebensnahe Beispiele und Fragen zur weiterführenden Diskussion und Reflexion bieten Gelegenheit zur weiteren Auseinandersetzung mit dem Text. Geeignet als Einführung für an Buddhismus und Philosophie interessierte Leser:innen.

This monograph approaches the Mah¿bh¿rata as a single work of literature, and the method is that of close textual study. Key verses are quoted in the original Sanskrit and in English translation. The title problem has been recognised before, but no detailed solution has been forthcoming. The monograph's objective is to try to articulate a Mah¿bh¿rata theology of time.In Chapter 1, the monograph's argument and synchronic methodology are summarised. In Chapter 2, the cycle of four yugas (world-ages) is outlined and discussed on the basis of the textual evidence. Each yuga is shorter and less moral than the last, and between them they constitute a repeating 12,000-year cycle. In Chapter 3, the Mah¿bh¿rata war is shown to be located at the junction between the third and fourth yugas. The idea of God Vi¿¿u-N¿r¿yäa descending to improve the world is introduced, and the title question is properly posed: Why does God's descent as K¿¿¿a (to make the Mah¿bh¿rata war happen) inaugurate the worst yuga? In Chapter 4, the various descents (avat¿ras, 'crossings-down') of God Vi¿¿u-N¿r¿yäa are discussed. Also discussed is a theory suggesting that the passage between yugas always requires a divine descent to effect it. The limitations of this theory are described and an alternative sketched.In Chapter 5, two general functions of divine descent are identified: to improve the world morally by killing demons, and to help the personified Earth by reducing the human weight upon her. These two functions are correlated with the two extremities of the four-yuga cycle, between which time oscillates. But the Mah¿bh¿rata war is not located at either extremity. Central to the monograph is a survey and discussion of the reasons given for this particular descent. These passages combine the two functions of divine descent, neither of which is entirely appropriate to this moment. It is argued that the descent here represents what happens over the course of the whole cycle. The discussion draws on Vedic literature, touches on gender issues, and shows how the two functions play out in the story of the war.In Chapter 6, the progress of the fourth yuga is tracked through the Mah¿bh¿rata's various characters and then the ancient audience, who would anticipate the start of the next cycle. It is hypothesised that this was to occur through the long-term action of the Mah¿bh¿rata, as more and more people would put into practice the teachings presented by K¿¿¿a in the Bhagavadg¿t¿. The K¿¿¿a avat¿ra would thus inaugurate the worst yuga because the seed planted there takes time to ripen. Chapter 7 reflects summarily upon the monograph's explorations, the theory of divine descent, and the text's theology of time. By employing a resolutely synchronic methodology the monograph makes a significant contribution on an important and latterly overlooked issue.

This book summarizes the author's extensive research on Confucian morality issues and focuses on elaborating the extremely important and unique role of moral thought in Confucian ideology. The book shares the author's own standpoints on a range of issues - including where moral thoughts originated, what the major principles are, and what methods were adopted in Confucianism - to form a comprehensive and in-depth interpretation, and help readers achieve a better understanding.Moreover, the book focuses on the similarities and differences between Chinese and western cultures and presents an in-depth analysis of the differences and roots regarding various aspects, including Chinese and western historical development paths, thoughts and cultures, national spirits, national mentalities, and social governance models. The formation of either culture has its own practical reasons and historical roots. The book represents a major contribution, helping readers understand the similarities and differences between Chinese and western cultures and social civilizations, enabling them to integrate and learn from Chinese and western cultures, and promoting a better development for Chinese society and the international community alike. Combining detailed data and an approachable style, it contributes to the legacy of Confucianism by applying a critical attitude. The author thinks out of the box in terms of theoretical analysis and studies on certain issues. As such, the book will be of great academic value in terms of studying China's ideological culture, especially its morality culture, and will benefit scholars and research institutions alike.

David Carradines "Spirit of Shaolin" behandelt die Philosophie hinter der Kampfkunst des Kung Fu. Carradine erzählt die Geschichte seiner eigenen Wandlung zum Kung-Fu-Verehrer und bietet Einblicke und Inspiration für diejenigen, die folgen möchten. Er geht auf die Weisheit der alten chinesischen Meister ein, auf die Prinzipien der Shaolin-Philosophie, die tiefere Bedeutung der Kampfkünste und ihre Relevanz für die moderne Welt. Ebenfalls enthalten sind seine zwölf eigenen Lektionen, einschließlich Anmerkungen zu Ernährung, Stretching und Meditation. Weltberühmt wurde Carradine durch die Verkörperung des Kwai Chang Caine in der beliebten Fernsehserie "Kung Fu". Sie war es auch, die ihn zum Anhänger der Shaolin-Philosophie und zum Kung-Fu-Fachmann machte. Mit der Nachfolgeserie "Kung Fu - Im Zeichen des Drachen" knüpfte er an den Erfolg des Originals an und brachte die Kunst dabei einer ganz neuen Generation nahe.

How can it be that the same story is found in Scotland and also in Pre-Columbian America? What can account for the durability and persistence of tales? Was the tale of Aladdin and his wondrous lamp really taken from Wales (where it has been found) to the ancient East and, if so, when and by whom?These questions and more are answered in Idries Shah’s remarkable volume World Tales, which is subtitled 'The extraordinary coincidence of stories told in all times, in all places.' In his introduction, Shah remarks,'Working for thirty-five years among the written and oral sources of our world heritage in tales, one feels a truly living element in them which is startlingly evident when one isolates the ‘basic’ stories; the ones which tend to have traveled farthest, to have featured in the largest number of classical collections, to have inspired great writers of the past and present.'

Mit dem von Nadja Germann und Frieder Vogelmann kuratierten Schwerpunkt 'Wissen über Grenzen' versammelt das Archiv für Begriffsgeschichte theoretisch-methodologische Reflexionen und materiale Studien zu einer 'kritisch-aufklärerischen, transkulturell geweiteten Begriffsgeschichte'. Der einleitende Beitrag profiliert ihre Erkenntnisziele und Verfahren als Revision der bisherigen Praxis philosophischer Begriffsgeschichtsschreibung. Die sich anschließenden Studien von Germann, Maarten J. F. M. Hoenen und Bret W. Davis gehen je auf ihre Weise Grenzziehungen und -verschiebungen des Wissensbegriffs in der arabisch-islamischen Philosophie des Mittelalters, im spätmittelalterlichen Thomismus sowie im Zen-Buddhismus nach. Eine abschließende Replik von Carsten Dutt nimmt zu den kritischen und konstruktiven Ansprüchen des Heftschwerpunkts Stellung.

The quietly radical Japanese classic on the art of cultivating creative thought - it's Marie Kondo for the inside of your head.We live in an age defined by accelerating automation, polarized discourse, and constant cognitive overload. In The Art of Organizing Thoughts, first published in 1983 and newly resonant in the age of artificial intelligence, renowned scholar and teacher Shigehiko Toyama offers a humane and timeless reminder: thinking well is a distinctly human art, and one that must be cultivated, protected, and practiced.Toyama argues that knowledge alone is not wisdom - in fact, the more we accumulate, the easier it is to stop truly thinking. The Art of Organizing Thoughts explains how to move from overloaded to clear-minded, not by consuming more information, but by learning how to organize what you already know. Toyama explains that schools and workplaces overwhelmingly produce "gliders," people who move only when pushed by external instructions, while what society desperately needs are "airplanes," or independent, self-propelled thinkers.His classic book shows how to cultivate that airplane mentality through simple practices: letting ideas ferment over time, learning when to sleep on a problem, and using selective forgetting as a tool to keep your mind clear and creative. Part philosophy, part practical handbook, the book offers a calming alternative to hustle culture through concrete practices for busy, intelligent readers who feel scattered and want a mind they can trust. The Art of Organizing Thoughts invites a return to analogue habits and deep attention - not to do more, but to think better and live more clearly.

Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote this classic book of military strategy based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of military have used the teaching on Sun Tzu to warfare and civilization have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business and everyday life. The Art of War is a book which should be used to gain advantage of opponents in the boardroom and battlefield alike.Discover the Spirituality Incisive Strategies for Peacefully Resolving Conflict in this Masterpiece of Military Strategy. Written 2,500 years ago by Chinese general Sun Tzu, The Art of War is a poetic and potent treatise on military strategy still in use in war colleges around the world. Yet its principles transcend warfare and have practical applications to all the conflicts and crises we face in our lives -in our workplaces, our families, even within ourselves. Thomas Huynh guides you through Sun Tzu's masterwork, highlighting principles that encourage a perceptive and spiritual approach to conflict, enabling you to: Prevent conflicts before they arise, peacefully and quickly resolve conflicts when they do arise, act with courage, intelligence and benevolence in adversarial situations, convert potential enemies into friends, control your emotions before they control you. Now you can experience the effectiveness of Sun Tzu's teachings even if you have no previous knowledge of the Art of War. Insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary explains the subtleties of the text, allowing you to unlock the power of its teachings and help prevent and resolve the conflicts in your own life.

Der beste Sieg ist der, der ohne Kampf errungen wird.Die Kunst des Krieges ist das maßgebliche Handbuch der Kriegsführung und Konfliktlösung. Napoleon und Mao Tse-tung haben es studiert, ebenso wie Steve Jobs und Bill Gates. Sunzi, Zeitgenosse des Konfuzius und erfolgreicher Militärstratege, beschrieb schon vor über 2500 Jahren die Grundmuster von Konflikten, für deren Lösung der Krieg immer nur als letztes Mittel gilt. Seine Gedanken und strategischen Überlegungen sind beeindruckend zeitlos - und dienen bis heute als Leitfaden für Wirtschaft, Politik und Management ebenso wie für den privaten Lebensbereich.Einzige vollständige Übersetzung aus dem chinesischen Urtext ins Deutsche.

Das klassische Buch der Zen-KoansEndlich ist die wichtigste Koan-Sammlung aus dem 13. Jahrhundert wieder auf Deutsch zugänglich. In 'Die torlose Schranke' präsentiert Zen-Meister Yamada Kôun - einer der einflussreichsten Meister des modernen Zen - seine Teishos zum Mumonkan, einer der bedeutendsten Sammlungen von Lehrgeschichten der Zen-Tradition. Die Zen-Ansprachen von Yamada Kôun sind seit mehr als 30 Jahren das Grundlagenwerk für alle, die heute auf dem Zen-Weg sind oder sich für Zen interessieren und eine Einstiegshilfe suchen.Die überarbeitete Neuausgabe enthält neben der Koan-Sammlung eine zeitgeschichtliche Übersicht sowie weiterführende Informationen, die für Zen-Praktizierende in Deutschland wichtig sind. Herausgegeben von Yamada Kôuns Sohn Zen-Meister Yamada Ryôun.'

Moses Maimonides, a scientist, physician, philosopher, rabbinic scholar, and communal leader, was perhaps the most imposing Jewish figure of the pre-modern age. Yet, more than eight centuries after his death, the meaning of his life and his work remains contested. This Very Short Introduction to Moses Maimonides surveys Maimonides' many intellectual, literary, and professional ventures. Born in Islamic Cordoba, he ultimately settled in Cairo, where he served as jurist and civic leader and a highly esteemed physician with responsibilities at the Fatimid and Ayyubid courts, even as he deepened his philosophical-theological pursuits. He moved seamlessly between specialized, private, and public Jewish and Muslim spheres. Indeed, his written works traverse multiple disciplines, employ several literary genres, and address various elite and popular audiences. Beginning with his Commentary on the Mishnah and culminating in the seminal Mishneh Torah (Code of Jewish Law), Maimonides reorganized and systematized all of rabbinic law. He regarded the attainment of wisdom as the ultimate goal of human life. Like many Jewish and Muslim religious intellectuals of the period Maimonides was preoccupied with the problem posed by the language religious tradition deploys in referring to God. His Guide for the Perplexed treats this central challenge to knowing God's absolute, unchanging unity, as well as defining the purpose of divine law and supposed interruption of the natural order in the form of prophecy and miracles.This book organizes Maimonides' thinking and writings thematically and puts his works into dialogue with one another. It proposes that the key to engaging Maimonides on his own terms is to understand he applied a rationalist's regimen characteristic of his scientific research and practice of medicine to all of his life's work: he observed and studied a problem, diagnosed it, and then prescribed a remedy for it whether the concern was physical, metaphysical, spiritual, intellectual, or social in nature.His Arabic and Hebrew contributions to each of his fields of inquiry were translated and disseminated far and wide and found a prominent place among religious and scientific intellectuals in the Latin West and throughout the Jewish and Islamic worlds.