This book aims to give an account of the origin and the historical evolution of the philosophical tradition of the "Way of Zhong," or "zhongdaology," which represents not only the basic characteristic of Confucian philosophical thinking but also the core spirit of Chinese culture in general. It addresses the following questions:
· Is Confucianism philosophy or not?
· In the rich ethics, sociology, political science and other theories of Confucianism is there a consistent philosophical metaphysics and philosophical methodology?
· What is the difference between the Confucian or the traditional Chinese philosophical way of thinking and that in the Western tradition?
· What influence and significance do the basic principles of Confucian philosophy have on contemporary China and even the world?
The book traces back to the original sources in ancient Confucian classics, conducts systematic and comprehensive research on the core philosophical concept of Confucianism, namely the philosophy of the zhong dao (the Middle Way), and analyzes the multiple meanings and philosophical connotations clustered in the word "zhong" and embodied in the idea of "zhong dao." It points out the consistent philosophical view held by Confucianism in a series of philosophical issues, such as heaven and human, mind and material, internal desire and external conditions, subjective will and objective feasibility, ideal and reality, constancy and flexibility, means and purpose, motivation and effect, diversity and harmony, centrality and inclusiveness, etc., and termed it as "zhongdaology."
It further discusses the presentation of "zhongdaological thinking" in the Confucian ethics and moral theory, social and political theory, historical view and even aesthetic view. It also provides comprehension of contemporary Chinese social and political cultural phenomena from the perspective of "zhongdaology."
This book is a rare introduction for students who want to understand Confucian cultural traditions from a philosophical perspective. It is also an illuminating read for general readers who want to understand the philosophical logic behind complex social and cultural phenomena in traditional and contemporary China.