Series: Bloomsbury Introductions to World Philosophies

Maori Philosophy by Dr. Georgina Stewart offers readers a profound exploration into the rich and intricate philosophical traditions of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, New Zealand. This captivating book delves into the symbolic systems, worldviews, and core philosophical issues pivotal to Maori thought, such as the notions of the self, the world, and epistemology. In doing so, it seeks to...

Intercultural Phenomenology explores the nature of reality by engaging in a cross-cultural dialogue between two of the most influential philosophical traditions of the 20th century. Drawing on ideas from phenomenology, Japanese philosophy, and Zen Buddhism, the book follows the philosophers who changed their perception of the world by choosing to suspend judgement. Guided by this philosophical method known as the...

Santideva’s 8th century Mahayana Buddhist classic, the Guide to the Practices of Awakening (Bodhicaryavatara), has been a source of philosophical inspiration in the Indian and Tibetan traditions for over a thousand years. Stephen Harris guides us through a philosophical exploration of Santideva’s masterpiece, introducing us to his understanding of the compassionate bodhisattva, who vows to liberate the entire universe from...

The Japanese philosopher Miki Kiyoshi opens doors to all those interested in rethinking the problem of imagination, myth, and technology. Miki Kiyoshi is one of the central figures in the Kyoto School, often spoken of as the heir of Kitaro Nishida. Born in Japan in 1897, he died in prison shortly after the end of World War II in 1945...

Karen O'Brien-Kop's introduction to the Yogasutra highlights its status as a significant work of philosophy. Approaching the Yogasutra as living philosophy, this book elucidates philosophical conceptions of yoga, recognises the logical structure the sutras follow and explains the rules and principles that have sustained Patañjali’s system of thought for centuries. Moving beyond standard interpretations of Patañjali's text and commentary as...

Sikh Philosophy, one of the major spiritual-philosophical traditions of India, is often missing from discussions of cross-cultural philosophy. In this introduction, Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, an internationally acknowledged expert in Sikh studies, provides the first rigorous engagement in the West with Sikh philosophy. Sensitive both to the historical formation of Sikh thought, and to the decolonial context in which he writes,...

D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966) reached global fame for his writings on Zen Buddhism. In this introduction to his theories of self, knowledge, and the world, Suzuki is presented as a Buddhist philosopher in his own right. Beginning with a biography of his life providing the historical context to his thought and discussing Suzuki’s influences, chapters cover the Zen notion of the...

An ideal introduction for students new to Japanese philosophy and aesthetics, Phenomenology of Tea invites readers into a dialogue throughout the fascinating aesthetic worlds of the Japanese tea ceremony. It delves into its rich history, philosophical influences, and religious backgrounds, all synthesised into a ritual that brings Japanese culture to one of its highest expressions. Tea guests begin their tour...

In Confucian Feminism, Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee expands the theoretical horizons of feminism by using characteristic Confucian terms, methods, and concerns to interrogate the issue of gender oppression and liberation. With its theoretical roots in the Confucian textual tradition, this is the first re-imagining of Confucianism that enriches, and is enriched by, feminism. Incorporating distinctive Confucian conceptual tools such as ren...

An ideal introduction for students new to Japanese philosophy and aesthetics, Phenomenology of Tea invites readers into a dialogue throughout the fascinating aesthetic worlds of the Japanese tea ceremony. It delves into its rich history, its philosophical influences, and religious backgrounds, all synthesized into a ritual that brings Japanese culture to one of its highest expressions. Tea guests begin their...

Environmental Equity in China and Beyond by Michael Nylan and Thomas Hahn opens up new vistas for thinking ecologically in this introduction to ancient and modern thought in China. Together they explore the environment in the Chinese philosophical tradition and contemporary China through the lens of intergenerational justice. Nylan’s analysis of lesser-known texts from ancient China changes our thinking of...