Chinese philosophy

Chinese philosophy
Chinese philosophy
	Yin and Yang symbol with the bagua symbols paved in a clearing outside of Nanning City, Guangxi province, China
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	中國哲學
Simplified Chinese	中国哲学
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhōngguó zhéxué
Bopomofo	ㄓㄨㄥㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄜˊ ㄒㄩㄝˊ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	Jonggwo jershyue
Wade–Giles	Chung1-kuo2 che2-hsüeh2
Tongyong Pinyin	Jhong-guó jhé-syué
IPA	[ʈʂʊ́ŋ.kwǒ ʈʂɤ̌.ɕɥě]
Wu
Romanization	Tson-kueʔ tseʔ-ghoʔ
Hakka
Romanization	Zung1-get5 ziet5-hok6
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Jūng-gwok jit-hohk
Jyutping	zung1 gwok3 zit3 hok6
IPA	[tsʊŋ˥ kʷɔk̚˧ tsit̚˧ hɔk̚˨]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Tiong-kok tiat-ha̍k
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese	Triết học Trung Quốc
Chữ Hán	哲學中國
Korean name
Hangul	중국 철학
Hanja	中國哲學
Revised Romanization
Transcriptions
Revised Romanization	Jungguk cheolhak
McCune–Reischauer	Chungguk ch'ŏrhak
Japanese name
Kanji	中国哲学
Hiragana	ちゅうごくてつがく
Katakana	チュウゴクテツガク
Romanization
Transcriptions
Romanization	Chūgoku tetsugaku
Kunrei-shiki	Tyûgoku tetugaku

Chinese philosophy (simplified Chinese: 中国哲学; traditional Chinese: 中國哲學) refers to the philosophical traditions that originated and developed within the historical and cultural context of China. It encompasses systematic reflections on issues such as existence, knowledge, ethics, and politics. Evolving over more than two millennia, Chinese philosophy includes classical traditions such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, as well as modern responses to Western philosophical currents. As a cultural form of philosophy, it addresses universal philosophical concerns while also reflecting the specific historical and social conditions of China.^[1]

The historical development of Chinese philosophy began during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, a time known as the "Hundred Schools of Thought".^[2] Major schools such as Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism emerged with distinct views on human nature, social order, and political authority. During the Han dynasty, Confucianism was established as the official ideology, shaping China's intellectual and political systems for centuries. In subsequent eras, Chinese philosophy integrated influences from Indian Buddhism, giving rise to new developments such as Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties.^[3] In the modern period, Chinese thinkers engaged with Western thought, resulting in the emergence of Three Principles of the People, Chinese Marxism, New Confucianism, and other philosophical movements.^[4] Throughout the 20th century, these traditions were reshaped by political upheaval and continue to evolve today.

Chinese philosophy, like other philosophical traditions, engages with fundamental questions in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy. Thinkers across various schools explored debates about the nature of human goodness, the source of moral knowledge, and the foundations of social order. Confucianism emphasizes ethical cultivation and political responsibility; Daoism advocates a life in accordance with nature and spontaneity; and Buddhist and Neo-Confucian thinkers developed detailed theories of consciousness and moral practice.^[5] Beyond abstract theorizing, Chinese philosophy has played a significant role in shaping Chinese education, governance, and cultural life.^[1] In the modern era, Chinese philosophers continue to reinterpret classical ideas while engaging with global philosophical discourse.

Chinese philosophy has exerted significant influence across East Asia. Buddhist thought and Neo-Confucian philosophy spread to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, where they shaped local intellectual and educational traditions.^[6] During the 17th and 18th centuries, Confucianism attracted the interest of European Enlightenment thinkers—often through idealized or inaccurate interpretations—which nonetheless played a role in debates about reason, morality, and secular governance.^[7] In the contemporary era, Chinese philosophy is gaining greater visibility in global academia, though challenges remain regarding its integration into broader philosophical discourse beyond cultural or regional frameworks.

^ ^a ^b Li, Zehou (2008). 中国古代思想史论 [On the History of Thought in Ancient China] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108028976.
^ Ebrey, Patricia (2010). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge University Press. p. 42.
^ Chen, Lai (2020). 宋明理学 [Neo-Confucianism] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787301303665.
^ Li, Zehou. 中国现代思想史论 [On the History of Thought in Modern China] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108028969.
^ Lao, Siguang. 新编中国哲学史 [A New History of Chinese Philosophy] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108067050.
^ Maruyama, Masao. 日本政治思想史研究 [Studies on the History of Japanese Political Thought] (in Japanese). ISBN 9784130300056.
^ "Confucius in the European Enlightenment".

[:0-1] Li, Zehou (2008). 中国古代思想史论 [On the History of Thought in Ancient China] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108028976.

[pe-2] Ebrey, Patricia (2010). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge University Press. p. 42.

[:1-3] Chen, Lai (2020). 宋明理学 [Neo-Confucianism] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787301303665.

[:2-4] Li, Zehou. 中国现代思想史论 [On the History of Thought in Modern China] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108028969.

[:3-5] Lao, Siguang. 新编中国哲学史 [A New History of Chinese Philosophy] (in Chinese). ISBN 9787108067050.

[6] Maruyama, Masao. 日本政治思想史研究 [Studies on the History of Japanese Political Thought] (in Japanese). ISBN 9784130300056.

[7] "Confucius in the European Enlightenment".

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