Asian Philosophies (4th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: An Academic Collection
Review: This collection of information on Asian philosophies, from the earliest Hindu verses to the latest modern spins on Buddhism and Confucianism, is for students, not enthusiasts. It is competent, well-researched, contains ample material for personal study, but, as the discussion questions at the ends of chapters indicate, is a college textbook.

The drawback of this, is a dispassionate, sometimes tedious delivery. The discussions of the various schools of Hinduism, are mind-boggling in their implications, but also difficult. The advantage of this, is the direct converse. The subject matter demands careful attention, not adulation.

I recommend this book for students and perhaps those with an interest in culture, but especially for those who think Western thought is too logical and lifeless. Asian philosophies have a rigor all their own, and this book should tease the proselytes from the enlightened.