Oriental enlightenment : the encounter between Asian and Western thought /

Clarke (history of ideas, Kingston Univ., London) presents a history of the concept of "Orientalism," by which he means the range of both critical and appreciative attitudes of the West toward the East. By the "East" Clarke means India, China, and Japan and the philosophical/religious thought of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. In an introductory chapter he explains the meanings of terms he uses and of the themes he stresses; and he explains his interpretation of the philosophical status of historical accounts of relations among various aspects of Eastern and Western cultures. His discussions, which are detailed, complete, and clearly expressed, explore numerous topics that in modern times have been major features of East-West relations--e.g., the East and fascism, modern science, ecology, racism, postmodernism, the numerous West/East dialogues on religion, questions as to whether the West seeks dominance over the East, and the extent to which the West responds to the "allures" of the East. There is careful documentation. Recommended. General; undergraduate; graduate; faculty. M. C. Rose; emeritus, Goucher College

Clarke (history of ideas, Kingston Univ., UK) notes that for hundreds of years the West has sought out the tradition of the East's philosophies. The search has been one-sided, however; the East generally has not reached out to the West for philosophical ideas. Further, despite a so-called shrinking globe, the West is still reluctant to acknowledge that it may have borrowed anything of significance from the East. So why does the West remain fascinated with the East? One insightful observation by Clarke: "It is Europe's collective day-dream, symptomatic of a certain weariness that from time to time bests European culture." Clarke here offers a solid academic survey of how ideas from India, China, and Japan have been drawn into the West's thinking since at least the 17th century. Thoughtful but scholarly; recommended for academic libraries.‘Dennis L. Noble, Sequim, Wash. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.