This guide introduces the work of one of China's most creative philosophers, Li Zehou. Written at an introductory level, it covers the key components of Li's broader philosophical vision, providing an explanation of his influences, his philosophical innovations, and the critical reception of his work in both China and the West.
Each chapter focuses on a central idea characterizing Li's work, from his debt to Marx in his construction of Chinese cultural identity theory and his discussion of the Book of Changes to his work on yin-yang theory, pragmatic reasoning and account of the historical evolution of conceptions of beauty. Together with a comprehensive bibliography and suggestions for further reading, each chapter includes a list of questions to guide classroom discussions. By making helpful and informative connections to more familiar thinkers and topics from American pragmatism and contemporary aesthetics, Li Zehou and Twentieth-Century Chinese Philosophy benefits anyone interested in understanding more about contemporary Chinese thought.