Bloomsbury Wisdom and Philosophy: Contemporary and Comparative Approaches

Wisdom and Philosophy: Contemporary and Comparative Approaches questions the nature of the relationship between wisdom and philosophy from an intercultural perspective. Bringing together an international mix of respected philosophers, this volume discusses similarities and differences of Western and Asian pursuits of wisdom and reflects on attempts to combine them. Contributors cover topics such as Confucian ethics, the acquisition of wisdom in pre-Qin literature and anecdotes of stupidity in the classical Chinese tradition, while also addressing contemporary topics such as global Buddhism and analytic metaphysics. Providing original examples of comparative philosophy, contributors look at ideas and arguments of thinkers such as Confucius, Zhuangzi and Zhu Xi alongside the work of Aristotle, Plato and Heidegger. Presenting Asian perspectives on philosophy as practical wisdom, Wisdom and Philosophy is a rare intercultural inquiry into the relation between wisdom and philosophy. It provides new ways of understanding how wisdom connects to philosophy and underlines the need to reintroduce it into philosophy today. Review Whatever happened to wisdom? In this new volume, Wisdom and Philosophy: Contemporary and Comparative Approaches, Hans-Georg Moeller and Andrew Whitehead challenge philosophy as a professional discipline to reflect upon the drift that has drawn it away from its original moorings. They have assembled a cadre of international scholars who from different cultural perspectives argue for """"the love of wisdom"""" as philosophy's most noble calling. The authors in these pages have redefined and given new life to the Enlightenment project of Weltweisheit in their concerted attempt to promote philosophical discourse as a source of the inclusive """"world-wisdom"""" that is so urgently needed in our aspirations for human flourishing. --Roger T. Ames, Professor of Philosophy, The University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Hawai'iThis book makes a unique and timely contribution to the growing literature in comparative global philosophy. Through focus on the theme of wisdom, the collection provides significant insight into some of the most crucial and divisive questions for philosophy across the ages, and, of particular relevance for philosophy in a global context, namely; what is philosophy, and what should or might it be? The contributions, from both seasoned and rising international experts, bring to light a diverse range of perspectives on the theme of wisdom, thus providing the reader with a snapshot of important developments across the field. Overall, the book makes for a fascinating compilation and consolidation of important ideas. One would be wise to read it. --Dr. Sarah Flavel, Lecturer in Religions, Philosophies and Ethics, Bath Spa University, UK About the Author Hans-Georg Moeller is Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Macau in Macau SAR, China.Andrew K. Whitehead is Associate Professor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Philosophy at Kennesaw State University, USA.