Joseph Dowd

Primary texts. Analytic clarity. Plain English.

A course-ready introduction to East and South Asian philosophy. Arguments reconstructed and analyzed. Primary sources integrated throughout. Simple, transparent English.

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Transparent translation. Authentic commentary.

The Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) with a commentary written by the great 3rd-century philosopher Wang Bi. Lean, crisp translation. Includes the Chinese text and a translation guide for close study.

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For Instructors

Without sacrificing accuracy, Introduction to Asian Philosophy makes classical Chinese, traditional Buddhist, and classical Hindu philosophy accessible to undergraduates and philosophy instructors of all backgrounds and skill levels. A thorough familiarity with this book's contents will enable any instructor trained in academic philosophy to teach an introductory-level course on East and South Asian philosophy.

Includes:

Primary sources with commentary

Pronunciation guides

Chapter quizzes*

Suggested essay assignments

*Instructors who purchase the book for their courses will receive answer keys.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this book suitable for non-specialists and first-time students?

A: Yes! This book is designed to be useful to any philosophy instructor and accessible to any college-level student.

Q: What traditions are covered?

A: Classical (pre-Qin) Chinese philosophy, early Buddhist philosophy, the Madhyamaka and Yogācāra schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and the six classical schools (darśanas) of Hindu philosophy. Knowledge of these traditions can serve as a foundation for understanding later Asian philosophical traditions, such as Chan/Zen.

Q: Where do the primary source translations come from?

A: I translated all primary source passages included in the 3rd edition, striving for both literal accuracy and readability. The book cites the primary source editions that I used when translating.