Items related to Effortless Action: Wu-wei as Conceptual Metaphor and...
Synopsis
This book presents a systematic account of the role of the personal spiritual ideal of wu-wei--literally "no doing," but better rendered as "effortless action"--in early Chinese thought. Edward Slingerland's analysis shows that wu-wei represents the most general of a set of conceptual metaphors having to do with a state of effortless ease and unself-consciousness. This concept of effortlessness, he contends, serves as a common ideal for both Daoist and Confucian thinkers. He also argues that this concept contains within itself a conceptual tension that motivates the development of early Chinese thought: the so-called "paradox of wu-wei," or the question of how one can consciously "try not to try."
Methodologically, this book represents a preliminary attempt to apply the contemporary theory of conceptual metaphor to the study of early Chinese thought. Although the focus is upon early China, both the subject matter and methodology have wider implications. The subject of wu-wei is relevant to anyone interested in later East Asian religious thought or in the so-called "virtue-ethics" tradition in the West. Moreover, the technique of conceptual metaphor analysis--along with the principle of "embodied realism" upon which it is based--provides an exciting new theoretical framework and methodological tool for the study of comparative thought, comparative religion, intellectual history, and even the humanities in general. Part of the purpose of this work is thus to help introduce scholars in the humanities and social sciences to this methodology, and provide an example of how it may be applied to a particular sub-field.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Edward Slingerland is Assistant Professor of East Asian Languages & Cultures and Religion at the University of Southern California (home page: www-rcf.usc.edu/~slingerl).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOUP Oxford
- Publication date2003
- ISBN 10 0195138996
- ISBN 13 9780195138993
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages368
Search results for Effortless Action: Wu-wei as Conceptual Metaphor and...
Stock Image
Effortless Action: Wu-wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2003
ISBN 10: 0195138996
ISBN 13: 9780195138993
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Tin Can Mailman, Arcata, Arcata, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Very minor shelf and perusal wear. Pages are well bound. Text appears clean and unmarked. Dust jacket protected by mylar cover. Seller Inventory # SKU1014518
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
Effortless Action : Wu-Wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 2586090-n
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action: Wu-wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. In. Seller Inventory # ria9780195138993_new
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action
Print on DemandSeller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
HRD. Condition: New. New Book. Delivered from our UK warehouse in 4 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L1-9780195138993
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action: Wu-Wei as Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China Slingerland, Edward G.
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2003
ISBN 10: 0195138996
ISBN 13: 9780195138993
Used
Hardcover
Seller: online-buch-de, Dozwil, Switzerland
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: gebraucht; sehr gut. textsauber und gepflegt, praktisch ungebraucht. Seller Inventory # 306-3-16
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action (Hardcover)
Published by
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003
ISBN 10: 0195138996
ISBN 13: 9780195138993
New
Hardcover
Seller: CitiRetail, Stevenage, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. This book presents a systematic account of the role of the personal spiritual ideal of wu-wei--literally "no doing," but better rendered as "effortless action"--in early Chinese thought. Edward Slingerland's analysis shows that wu-wei represents the most general of a set of conceptual metaphors having to do with a state of effortless ease and unself-consciousness. This concept of effortlessness, he contends, serves as a common ideal for both Daoist and Confucianthinkers. He also argues that this concept contains within itself a conceptual tension that motivates the development of early Chinese thought: the so-called "paradox of wu-wei," or the question of howone can consciously "try not to try." Methodologically, this book represents a preliminary attempt to apply the contemporary theory of conceptual metaphor to the study of early Chinese thought. Although the focus is upon early China, both the subject matter and methodology have wider implications. The subject of wu-wei is relevant to anyone interested in later East Asian religious thought or in the so-called "virtue-ethics" tradition in the West. Moreover, the techniqueof conceptual metaphor analysis--along with the principle of "embodied realism" upon which it is based--provides an exciting new theoretical framework and methodological tool for the study ofcomparative thought, comparative religion, intellectual history, and even the humanities in general. Part of the purpose of this work is thus to help introduce scholars in the humanities and social sciences to this methodology, and provide an example of how it may be applied to a particular sub-field. This study argues that the concept of "wu-wei" of effortless action, serves as a spiritual ideal for a group of five early Chinese thinkers who share what might be called the "mainstream" Chinese worldview, which is characterised by the belief that there is a normative order to the cosmos (the "Way"), within which humans have a proper place. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780195138993
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action
Print on DemandSeller: PBShop.store US, Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
HRD. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L1-9780195138993
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller Image
Effortless Action : Wu-Wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Published by
Oxford University Press, 2003
ISBN 10: 0195138996
ISBN 13: 9780195138993
Used
Hardcover
Seller: GreatBookPricesUK, Woodford Green, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 2586090
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
Effortless Action: Wu-wei as Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Published by
Oxford University Press Inc, 2003
ISBN 10: 0195138996
ISBN 13: 9780195138993
New
Hardcover
Seller: THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, Southport, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: New. This item is printed on demand. New copy - Usually dispatched within 5-9 working days 742. Seller Inventory # C9780195138993
Quantity: Over 20 available
Seller Image
Effortless Action : Wu-Wei As Conceptual Metaphor and Spiritual Ideal in Early China
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 2586090-n
Quantity: Over 20 available