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  • Book
  • Open Access
  • © 2020

Historical Background of Wang Yang-ming’s Philosophy of Mind

From the Perspective of his Life Story

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  • Open Access so no access barriers to the electronic version

  • Explores the life of Wang Yang-ming, the most important Chinese philosopher in the 15th and 16th centuries

  • Written by a leading expert on Chinese philosophy and philosophy of mind

  • Highlights a Chinese visionary whose “philosophic exposition of the universe came about a century previous to Hobbes, Descartes and Spinoza”

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Softcover Book USD 59.99
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Hardcover Book USD 59.99
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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Experiencing “Gewu Zhizhi”

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 1-18Open Access
  3. Learning “Saint Theory”

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 19-42Open Access
  4. Proposing His “Philosophy of Mind”

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 43-60Open Access
  5. Practicing His Military Thoughts

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 61-101Open Access
  6. Pushing His Idea of Governance

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 103-120Open Access
  7. Establishing His Philosophical System

    • Ping Dong
    Pages 121-152Open Access
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 153-199

About this book

This open access book offers comprehensive information on Wang Yang-ming’s life, helping readers identify and grasp the foundations on which his philosophy was established. Though a great man, Wang had an extremely difficult life, full of many hardships. Based on various official histories, Wang’s own writings, and his disciples’ records, the book explores the legendary life of this ancient philosopher, who not only diligently pursued his objective of living as a sage, but also persistently sought the ideal state of a sage in ideology. The author also shares his own interpretations of the main aspects of Wang’s philosophy using simple and straightforward language.


This book will help readers understand and appreciate Wang Yang-ming’s extraordinary life, his generous mind, deep thoughts and bright personality, inspiring them to pursue enriching lives. It offers a unique and insightful work for undergraduate students and all others interested in Wang’s philosophy and life story.





Authors and Affiliations

  • Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

    Ping Dong

About the author

Ping Dong was born on September 4, 1959 in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. He is a Ph.D., a “Seeking Truth” distinguished professor and doctoral supervisor at Zhejiang University. He is the director of the Department of Philosophy; of the Institute of Chinese Ideology and Culture; and of the Center for Buddhist Culture Studies at Zhejiang University. In 2010, he was featured in the “Hundreds of Lectures” section of CCTV, and was widely praised. In 2014, he was awarded the title of “Master of Chinese Cultural Communication Overseas” by the State Council’s Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and has given lectures in France, the United States, Australia and other countries.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Historical Background of Wang Yang-ming’s Philosophy of Mind

  • Book Subtitle: From the Perspective of his Life Story

  • Authors: Ping Dong

  • Translated by: Xiaolu Wang, Liang Cai

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3036-4

  • Publisher: Springer Singapore

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2020

  • License: CC BY-NC-ND

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-15-3035-7Published: 27 May 2020

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-981-15-3038-8Published: 11 September 2020

  • eBook ISBN: 978-981-15-3036-4Published: 26 May 2020

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 199

  • Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Non-Western Philosophy, Asian Literature

Buy it now

Buying options

Softcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access