Franklin Perkins

Associate Professor of Philosophy Franklin Perkins

A Commerce of Light

Leibniz and China

A concise and coherent overview of Leibniz, ideal for second- or third-year undergraduates who require more than just an simple introduction to his work and thought.

Leibniz: A Guide for the Perplexed

Chenyang Li

The first English-language contributory volume on Chinese metaphysics, covering all major traditions from pre-Qin to the modern period.

Chinese Metaphysics and its Problems

For more than two thousand years, the writings of the Confucian philosopher Mengzi have been a source of guidance and inspiration for those set on doing something to improve the state of the world. In Doing What You Really Want, Franklin Perkins presents a coherent, systematic, and accessible explanation of Mengzi's philosophy. He covers everything from the place of human beings in nature, to human psychology and philosophy of emotions, to the various ways in which we can deliberately change and cultivate ourselves. Mengzi was concerned not just with theory but also effective action. Perkins thus includes a collection of practical advice and a Confucian analysis of politics oriented toward how individuals can make a difference in the world. These topics are integrated around Mengzi's philosophy as a way of life dedicated to changing the world, providing an alternative approach for understanding the contemporary relevance of Confucianism. Mengzi offers theoretical and practical resources valuable for anyone concerned with integrating efforts to improve the world with personal fulfillment and a sense of belonging. Rather than giving an overview, this is a focused work of philosophy that delves deeply into the most relevant themes of Mengzi's thought. The core philosophical system is drawn from Mengzi, but the book regularly incorporates other Confucian materials, making this volume a useful introduction to Confucian thought.

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mengzi

Doing what You Really Want

That bad things happen to good people was as true in early China as it is today. Franklin Perkins uses this observation as the thread by which to trace the effort by Chinese thinkers of the Warring States Period (c.475-221 BCE), a time of great conflict and division, to seek reconciliation between humankind and the world. Perkins provides rich new readings of classical Chinese texts and reflects on their significance for Western philosophical discourse.

The Problem of Evil in Classical Chinese Philosophy

Heaven and Earth Are Not Humane

A concise and coherent overview of Leibniz, ideal for second- or third-year undergraduates who require more than just a simple introduction to his work and thought.

Franklin Perkins

Books

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