What is Confucian and new about the thought of Mou Zongsan?
pp. 131-164
in: John Makeham (ed), New confucianism, Berlin, Springer, 2003Abstract
This chapter is a study of Mou Zongsan's 牟宗三 (1909–95) philosophical system. It seeks to accomplish three objectives. The first objective is to present the theoretical framework of Mou's thought system. I will do this with the aim of introducing the subject to a Western readership largely unfamiliar with New Confucian thought. The other two objectives focus on the "New Confucian" label used to identify Mou's thought. I will first establish that Mou's philosophical system is Confucian, despite its liberal appropriation of Buddhist paradigms and Kantian terminology. I will then examine what is new about his system. In order to present a rounded perspective, I will also address some of the criticisms made by scholars regarding the new features of his system. While I will draw largely on the writings of Mou, other references will be used as appropriate.
