An Introduction to Comparative Philosophy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. Introduction: Philosophical Space

   1. Introduction: Philosophical Space

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 1-5

   2. Worlds within Worlds

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 6-15

   3. Thinking about Thinking

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 16-32

3. The Object Dimension of Philosophical Space

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 33-33

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   2. The Object Dimension: Assumptions

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 35-47

   3. Aristotle, Objectivity, and the Unmoved Mover

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 48-66

   4. Objectivity and Ataraxia: Epicurean Gardens, a Stoic Porch and Skeptic Scales

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 67-87

   5. The Handmaiden and the Handiwork

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 88-106

4. The Subject Dimension of Philosophical Space

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107

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   2. Consciousness: One Chariot and Two Views of the Galaxy

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 109-129

   3. The Jain Axiom of Non-absolutism

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 130-149

5. The Situational Dimension of Philosophical Space

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 151-151

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   2. Situations and Raising Dead Lions

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 153-173

6. The Aspect/Perspective Dimension of Philosophical Space

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 175-175

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   2. The Way of Nature and Mind as Aspect and Perspective

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 177-196

   3. Epilogue

      • Walter Benesch

      Pages 197-201

7. Back Matter

   Pages 202-229

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This original and accessible text is more than an introduction to comparative philosophy in the East and West. It is also a guide to 'philosophizing' as a thinking process. In addition to outlining the presuppositions of different traditions, it discusses their methods and techniques for reasoning in what the author calls four dimensions of 'philosophical space': object, subject, the situational and the aspective/perspective dimension.

• Aristotle
• knowledge
• object
• philosophy
• reason
• subject

'An Introduction to Comparative Philosophy is eminently readable. The style of writing is economical and clear. It will be informative and valuable to anyone interested in comparative philosophy' - Kwang-Sae Lee, Professor of Philosophy, Kent State University

• University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA

  Walter Benesch

WALTER BENESCH is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He has presented papers on comparative logic and philosophy in Taiwan, Europe and the US and has published articles and papers on comparative philosophy and logics in the US, Europe, Taiwan and Japan.

Policies and ethics