Chinese philosophy is often dismissed as either too underdeveloped or too mystical in comparison to the well-developed philosophies of the West. However, Mou Zongsan, arguably the most important Chinese philosopher of the twentieth century, devoted the majority of his more than sixty-year career to establishing and fostering a dialogue between Western and Eastern philosophy. To achieve this, he produced volumes of original work that detailed how Chinese philosophy addresses many of the same universal issues as Western philosophy and how, when combined with Western thought, it has much to contribute toward producing a universal value system. In 1978, Mou Zongsan delivered a series of lectures to graduate students outlining his unique East-West comparative approach. Published in Chinese in 1983, the transcription of those lectures has been a primary resource for learning about Chinese philosophy. In Nineteen Lectures on Chinese Philosophy, these public addresses are presented in English for the very first time. Rigorously researched and cross-referenced with Mou's previous works, this meticulous translation also includes synopses and key concepts that further enhance this essential resource for anyone interested in a deeper study of Chinese philosophy.

This book introduces fifteen representative philosophers in ancient China, including Confucius, Laozi, Mencius, Zhuangzi, influential Neo-Taoist scholars, and prominent Neo-Confucian thinkers. It reveals the fundamental problems of each philosopher, clarifies the connotation of the concept as well as the specific reference of the problem, and presents the inherent context and structure of each philosopher’s thoughts. Further, the author analyzes a selection of these ancient philosophers’ main propositions and demonstrates the argumentation and proof processes behind the basic philosophical insights. As such, this book is a valuable academic resource for scholars and the interested readers wanting to gain an in-depth understanding of ancient Chinese philosophy today.