As the first volume of a two-volume seminal work on contemporary New Confucianism in China, this book charts the development of this intellectual trend and examines four leading thinkers of this intellectual movement in the 20th century.

Contemporary New Confucianism refers to the Confucianism or Confucian thought that has emerged in China since the 1920s and that seeks to revive Confucian spirituality in a changing society. This volume first analyzes the cultural context, logical approach, major themes, and problems of New Confucianism before delving into the four leading figures, namely Liang Shumin, Xiong Shili, Ma Yifu, and Qian Mu. The chapter on Liang Shumin analyzes his concept of will, his arguments on Confucian moral ideals, and his theory of culture. It then discusses Xiong Shili's contribution to the philosophical metaphysics of New Confucianism. The following chapter on Ma Yifu examines his theory of the mind, nature, and the six arts. The final chapter on Qian Mu presents his views on nationality, history, and the Chinese classics.

This title will appeal to scholars and students of modern and contemporary Confucianism, intellectual history, philosophy and thought of contemporary China, and comparative philosophy.