Dao Companion to the Philosophy of Han Fei

Han Fei, who died in 233 BC, was one of the primary philosophers of China’s classical era, a reputation still intact despite recent neglect. This edited volume on the thinker, his views on politics and philosophy, and the tensions of his relations with Confucianism (which he derided) is the first of its kind in English.

Featuring contributions from specialists in various disciplines including religious studies and literature, this new addition to the Dao Companions to Chinese Philosophy series includes the latest research. It breaks new ground with studies of Han Fei’s intellectual antecedents, and his relationship as a historical figure with Han Feizi, the text attributed to him, as well as surveying the full panoply of his thought. It also includes a chapter length survey of relevant scholarship, both in Chinese and Japanese.

Introduction: Han Fei and the Han Feizi — Paul R.Goldin,University of Pennsylvania.-

I.  Han Fei’s Predecessors.- From Historical Evolution to the End of History: Past, Present and Future from Shang Yang to the First Emperor — Yuri Pines, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.- Shen Dao’s Theory of fa and His Influence on Han Fei — Soon-ja Yang, Inha University.- II.  The Philosophy of Han Fei.- Submerged by Absolute Power: The Ruler’s Predicament in the Han Feizi — Yuri Pines.- Beyond the Rule of Rules: The Foundations of Sovereign Power in the Han Feizi — Albert Galvany, University of Cambridge / University Pompeu Fabra .- Han Fei on the Problem of Morality — Eirik Lang Harris, Yonsei University .- III.  Han Fei and Confucianism.- Han Fei and Confucianism: Toward a Synthesis — Bryan W. Van Norden, Vassar College .- Did Xunzi’s Theory of Human Nature Provide the Foundation for the Political Thought of Han Fei? — Masayuki Sato, National Taiwan University.- IV.  Studies of Specific Chapters.- The Difficulty with “The Difficulties of Persuasion” (“Shuinan” ??) — Michael Hunter, Princeton University .- Han Feizi and the Old Master: A Comparative Analysis and Translation of Han Feizi Chapter 20, “Jie Lao,” and Chapter 21, “Yu Lao” — Sarah A. Queen, Connecticut College .- Appendix: Studies of the Han Feizi in China, Taiwan, and Japan — Masayuki Sato .- Contributors.