CRITICISM

Boodberg, Peter A. “The Semasiology of Some Primary Confucian Concepts.” Philosophy East and West 2, no. 4 (January 1953): 317-32.

Focuses on several Chinese idioms to demonstrate the difficulties in anglicizing Confucius's work adequately.

Chong, Kim-Chong. “The Practice of Jen.” Philosophy East and West 43, no. 3 (July 1999): 298-16.

Argues that jen is more elusive and complex in the Analects than a reading of the Mencius would suggest.

Fingarette, Herbert. “A Way without a Crossroads.” In Confucius—The Secular as Sacred, pp. 18-36. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1972.

Contrasts Western thought regarding choice and responsibility with the Confucian emphasis on the Way.

Kupperman, Joel J. “Confucius and the Nature of Religious Ethics.” Philosophy East and West 21, no. 2 (April 1971): 189-94.

Contends that it is reasonable to view Confucianism in religious terms because Confucius's ethics resemble those of assorted religious thinkers.

Setton, Mark. “Ambiguity in the Analects: Philosophical and Practical Dimensions.” Journal of Chinese Philosophy 27, no. 4 (December 2000): 545–59.

Argues that the prevalence of cryptic remarks in Confucius's writings reveals a suspicion of language and its ability to convey reality.

Sim, Luke J., with James T. Bretzke. “The Notion of Sincerity (Ch'eng) in the Confucian Classics.” Journal of Chinese Philosophy 21, no. 2 (June 1994): 179-212.

Examines the connotation of “sincere” in the Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean.

Sinaiko, Herman L. “The Analects of Confucius.” In Approaches to the Oriental Classics: Asian Literature and Thought in General Education, edited by Wm. Theodore de Bary, pp. 142-52. Morningside Heights, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, 1959.

Identifies specific problems involved in teaching the Analects to undergraduates, offering suggestions for resolution.

Wu-Chi, Liu. “The Golden Thread.” In Confucius, His Life and Time, pp. 141-56. New York: Philosophical Library, 1955.

Examines Confucius's moral code.

Yu-Lan, Fung. “Confucius and the Rise of Confucianism.” In A History of Chinese Philosophy: Vol. 1: The Period of the Philosophers (From the Beginnings to circa 100 B.C.), translated by Derk Bodde, pp. 43-75. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1952.

Considers Confucius's position in Chinese history, his attitude toward traditional institutions and beliefs, and his role as a transmitter.

Additional coverage of Confucius's life and career is contained in the following sources published by the Gale Group: Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism, Vol. 19; Discovering Authors; Discovering Authors 3.0; Discovering Authors: British; Discovering Authors: Canadian Edition; Discovering Authors Modules; Literature Resource Center; and World Literature Criticism Supplement.