Tongdong Bai is a unique voice among scholars of Chinese philosophy: fluent in English and Chinese, trained in China and the US, and expert in both the natural sciences and the humanities. Not surprisingly, this erudite book sets the bar higher than previous works on the topic. While the book will interest newcomers to Chinese political philosophy, it is more than an introduction. Bai develops an original argument that ancient debates in "pre-modern" times anticipate many of the political problems of contemporary societies and provide resources for some solutions.
Daniel A. Bell, Jiaotong University, Shanghai and Tsinghua University, Beijing
In a single generation China has precipitated a dramatic sea change in the economic and political order of the world. But what about culture? In this tour de force Tongdong Bai explores the distinctive political philosophies of Warring States China during its early formative period as a resource for responding to the most pressing questions of our own day: "What does Chinese political philosophy as both a source of corroboration and as a substantive challenge to Western liberalism have on offer for a changing world culture?", and at the end of the day, "What does China really want?"
Roger T. Ames, University of Hawai'i
Tongdong Bai's new book pulls off a remarkable balancing act. It is accessible and yet provocative; it is solidly based on China's early history and yet full of fascinating comparisons with Western thought and with the contemporary world. It is a splendid introduction to Chinese philosophy for all readers.
Stephen C. Angle, Wesleyan University