Mencius and Early Chinese Thought

"With this ambitious undertaking, Shun is trying to become the definitive modern interpreter of Mencius, and in this volume he succeeds. . . . The book works at many levels and satisfies at each. For the sinologist it is thorough and precise, and for the ethicist and comparative philosopher it has much to offer as well." —Choice "This book is an excellent resource for those interested in Mencian philosophy. . . . The author has given us a textual study that is philosophically illuminating and thought-provoking."—China Review International "This impressive book studies Mencius's ethical though in its own terms and against competing contemporary thinkers. . . . Shun's scrupulous use of evidence gives full consideration to all possible views, not only those he favors. No one has heretofore treated this material with such convincing attention or sharpened our views of Mencius's thinking to this high glint."—Religious Studies Review "Valuable as a reference source, it proviedes a way for us to get acquainted with current Mencius scholarship. Shun's meticulous analysis of such key concepts as ren and yi in the Mencius and other ancient texts not only demonstrates his erudition but renders a wonderful service to any students of early Chinese thought."—Chinese Historians

• Contents 1 1.1 1.2 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4