Understanding Eastern Philosophy - Softcover

Billington, Ray

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415129656 ISBN 13: 9780415129657

Publisher: Routledge, 1997

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Synopsis:

Presents both a comprehensive overview of, and an introduction to, the key philosophies of the East and how they compare with those of the West. The text examines the key tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, Yin and Yang, and Confucianism, comparing and contrasting them with Western religions. The book is also a response to increasing doubt in the West about the value of formal expressions of religious belief, and the concurrent search for other sources offering a spiritual dimension to life. It challenges theism, particularly Christianity, with its belief in a personal God bestowing a certain version of "truth", and rejects the idea of the immortality of the soul.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0415129656
• ISBN 13: 9780415129657
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208