Understanding Eastern Philosophy provides an accessible critical introduction to how some of the key philosophies of the East compare with those in the West. Starting from a discussion of the problems of distinguishing between religions and philosophies, Ray Billington presents a clear picture of the key tenets behind Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism and Confucianism.
Moving on to compare the key themes of religious philosophy that cut across East and West, such as a belief in God, the soul, moral decision-making, nature and authority, Understanding Eastern Philosophy presents a fascinating and controversial picture of the contribution theistic religions have to make. With its belief in a personal God bestowing a particular version of 'truth', Ray Billington concludes that the universal mysticism characteristic of Eastern thought provides a more realistic and rewarding path than is commonly supposed in the West.
Understanding Eastern Philosophy assumes no prior knowledge of religion or philosophy.
Chapter 1 Eastern philosophy or Eastern religion?; Chapter 2 The concept of God; Chapter 3 Hinduism I: Itsillegalscriptures and systems; Chapter 4 Hinduism II: Its basic teaching; Chapter 5 The heterodox systems I; Chapter 6 The heterodox systems II Buddhism 1: Philosophy; Chapter 7 The heterodox systems III Buddhism 2: The way of Buddha; Chapter 8 The heterodox systems IV Buddhism 3: Mahayana Buddhism; Chapter 9 Chinese philosophy I: Taoism; Chapter 10 Later developments in Taoism, CHUANG TZU; Chapter 11 Chinese philosophy II: The Yin–Yang School, YIN AND YANG; Chapter 12 Chinese philosophy III: Confucianism; Chapter 13 Metaphysics without theology I: The ground of being; Chapter 14 Metaphysics without theology II: Human nature and destiny; Chapter 15 Ethics and human behaviour; Chapter 16 Nature and community; Chapter 17 Authority and faith; Chapter 18 Coexistence of coinherence?;
This book provides an accessible critical introduction to how some of the key philosophies of the East compare with those in the West.
Über den Autor
Ray Billington
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Chapter 1 Eastern philosophy or Eastern religion?; Chapter 2 The concept of God; Chapter 3 Hinduism I: Itsillegalscriptures and systems; Chapter 4 Hinduism II: Its basic teaching; Chapter 5 The heterodox systems I; Chapter 6 The heterodox systems II Buddhism 1: Philosophy; Chapter 7 The heterodox systems III Buddhism 2: The way of Buddha; Chapter 8 The heterodox systems IV Buddhism 3: Mahayana Buddhism; Chapter 9 Chinese philosophy I: Taoism; Chapter 10 Later developments in Taoism, CHUANG TZU; Chapter 11 Chinese philosophy II: The Yin-Yang School, YIN AND YANG; Chapter 12 Chinese philosophy III: Confucianism; Chapter 13 Metaphysics without theology I: The ground of being; Chapter 14 Metaphysics without theology II: Human nature and destiny; Chapter 15 Ethics and human behaviour; Chapter 16 Nature and community; Chapter 17 Authority and faith; Chapter 18 Coexistence of coinherence?;
Klappentext
Ray Billington explores the spirituality of Eastern thought and its differences from and relationships with the Western religious tradition by presenting the main principles of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism and Confucianism.
Billington discusses the central themes of religious philosophy, comparing Eastern and Western views of belief of God, the soul, moral decision-making, nature, faith and authority. He then challenges theism, particularly Christianity, with its belief in a personal God bestowing a certain version of "truth." He concludes that the universal mysticism characteristic of Eastern thought provides a more realistic and rewarding path.
