The purpose of this book is to read Han Feizi (c.280 – 233 BC) in
the light of Western thought, especially, Machiavelli. Han Feizi is
one of the most important philosophical thinkers in ancient China and
is still widely read by politicians and business leaders in East Asia.
His ideas are often compared with those in Machiavelli's The Prince.
Han Feizi argues that political institutions must change with changing
circumstances. His work can also be compared with that of Adam Smith,
but differs in consideration of economic system and moral sentiments.
Han Feizi highly values action, practical skills, useful knowledge
(not formal education like Confucianism), absolute obedience, loyalty
(based on self-interests), and duty. The key tool to operate the
system is objective law (and its effective practice) with fair rewards
and punishments. As mainland China, and overseas Chinese-influenced
and Confucian societies including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South
Korea, North Korea, and Vietnam are rapidly modernized, this classic
work, created in the golden period of Chinese thought, carries ongoing
relevance and gives deep insights. This is an important resource for
people with intellectual, business or politics interests in East Asia,
to help to interpret, understand, and predict political and business
decisions in the Confucian regions.
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Impact on East Asia
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781804417775
Publisert
2025
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Ethics Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter