The Philosophy of Qi: The Record of Great Doubts (Translations from the Asian Classics) (9780231139229): Kaibara Ekken, Mary Evelyn Tucker: Books
The Philosophy of Qi: The Record of Great Doubts (Translations from the Asian Classics)
by Kaibara Ekken (Author), Mary Evelyn Tucker (Translator)
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The Record of Great Doubts emphasizes the role of qi in achieving a life of engagement with other humans, with the larger society, and with nature as a whole. Rather than encourage transcendental escapism or quietism, Ekken articulates a philosophy of material force as a basis of living a life of commitment to the world. In this spirit, moral cultivation is not an isolated or a self-centered preoccupation, but an activity that occurs within the dynamic forces of nature and amid the rigorous demands of society. In this context, a vitalism of qi is an emergent force, not only providing the philosophical grounding for this vibrant interaction but also giving a basis for an investigation of the natural world that plumbs the principle within things. Ekken thus aimed to articulate a creative and dynamic milieu for moral education, political harmony, social coherence, and agricultural sustainability.
The Record of Great Doubts embodies Ekken's profound commitment to Confucian ideas and practices as a method for establishing an integrative ethical vision, one he hoped would guide Japan through a new period of peace and stability. A major philosophical treatise in the Japanese Neo-Confucian tradition, The Record of Great Doubts illuminates a crucial chapter in East Asian intellectual history.
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Editorial Reviews
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Review
An important book for anyone interested in East Asian Confucianism and cosmology, and necessary reading for students of Japanese neo-Confucianism… Essential.
(Choice)
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Tucker's contribution to this discussion of qi is groundbreaking.
(Philosophy East & West)
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Review
As one of the most prolific writers of premodern East Asia, Kaibara Ekken is noted for his erudition, inquisitiveness, and influence. The Record of Great Doubts, composed when he was eighty-four years old, clearly demonstrates his creativity and originality. This is an excellent annotated translation of Ekken's masterpiece. Mary Evelyn Tucker's book is a major contribution to Neo-Confucian thought and will be essential reading for students.
(T. U. Weiming, Harvard-Yenching Professor of Chinese History and Philosophy and Confucian Studies, Harvard University)
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The Philosophy of Qi will be of great interest to everyone studying traditional East Asia. This is a fascinating translation rendered into highly readable English. Mary Evelyn Tucker's introduction is a brilliant survey of the history of Confucian thought in China, Korea, and Japan, as well as an introduction to the specifics of this text.
(John Berthrong, Boston University)
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Kaibara Ekken's famous Record of Great Doubts demonstrates that the Confucian tradition, contrary to its conventional image, fosters independent, critical thinking. Mary Evelyn Tucker's lucid translation finally provides us with access to the full text of this pivotal work in the history of Japanese thought.
(Janine Sawada, The University of Iowa)
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Top Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Evolution of Monism in the Neo-Confucian Tradition
By John C. Marshell Jr. on October 20, 2011
Format: Hardcover
If you have grown a bit weary of reading the rapidly increasing number books on Buddhism and Taoism, there is a third Asian religious tradition (somewhat slighted in the marketplace) known as Confucianism, and its later manifestation Neo-Confucianism, that might provide you with a refreshing and interesting alternative to Buddhist and Taoist fare. Not all Asian religious traditions subscribed to metaphysical speculations of "nothingness" and "non-being," complicated "two-truths" debates, mystifying alchemical practices, the demands of marathon meditation sessions, and arguing the nature of Buddha-nature. Confucian scholars stood opposed to the other-worldly quality of immortals and bodhisattvas and the traps of illusion developing a pragmatic philosophy bound to immediate existence and the natural world. In their confrontation with Buddhism and Taoism, Confucianists subsumed and adapted some of the better qualities of their antagonists, polemicized against their apparent inanties, and through debate, study, and a little syncreticism, developed their tradition into a school of thought commonly called Neo-Confucianism. Though the exact start of the Neo-Confucian school is open to debate (some suggest as far back as the Han dynasty), its birth is usually marked with philosopher Zhang Zai and the Song dynasty (eleventh century).
Kaibara Ekken is a Japanese scholar reflecting the maturity of the Neo-Confucian school, with a lifeline stretching into the early eighteenth century. He is noteworthy in his efforts to further the development of monist realism started by Zhang Zai and tackle philosophical issues created by Neo-Confucian scholars Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, and Zhu Xi. The historical development of the school and pertinent themes are excellently outlined and discussed by Mary Evelyn Tucker in the introduction of this book. In this regard, it could act as a primer to Neo-Confucianism, despite its offering a translation of an important text from the school's later devlopment. The background she provides is essential for appreciating Ekken's "Record of Great Doubts" as well as understanding Neo-Confucianism in general.
Monist realism is the hallmark of Neo-Confucianism. It offers an alternative to Buddhist and Taoist metaphysics of "nothingness" and "non-being." It is a philosophy of Qi, a mysterious physical force in the universe likened to energy that is both constant in its life-giving function and subject to change under the influence of yin and yang cosmology. It forms the basis for all existence. Qi is the "somethingess" to counter the "nothingness." Ekken seeks to explain Qi in his "Record of Great Doubts" by pointing out the errors of Buddhism and Taoism and politely correcting the predecessors of his own tradition, including taking Confucians to task when they appear too influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. His book makes for interesting reading based on his polemics alone.
Ekken's philosophy is sharply non-dualistic drawing the philosophical themes of energy (Qi) and principle (Li) into single construct, arguing for the unity of spirit and matter, and placing yin and yang activity "above form," or concrete things, so as to maintain the unity of the Way (Dao). He is firmly opposed to disembodied idealism. Ekken sees a unity between Heaven, Man, and Nature with Qi acting as the common integrater for cosmological, ecological, and human moral development. The development of the sage and humanity are not elided from his thinking on the cosmological. The common misperception that Confucianism lacks an element of the mystical should be avoided. Ekken's philosophy, though grounded in the material, does offer a path to deeper spirituality. It is found in Qi and the world and people around us.
I really enjoyed this book. I cannot comment on the translation itself, but it is easy reading and completely understandable. The book offers much in the way of understanding Neo-Confucian philosophy. I think Mary Evelyn Tucker does a great job explaining Ekken's philosophy for the general reader. Highly recommended.
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