Overview

In this text, John Clarke shows the reader how Taoism or Daoism has transformed many key areas of Western life and thought. Taoist texts, ideas and practices have over several centuries been assimilated into a whole range of the interests and activities found in the West. From the everyday impact of practices such as Feng Shui and Tai Chi, through to more esoteric formulations found in areas such as religion, philosophy, ethics, politics and ecology, Taoism has inspired the Western world. The book not only provides an introduction to Daoism, but it offers an insight into the history of the West's encounter with this ancient tradition.

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9780415206204

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Reviews

... a refreshing change of pace for the general reader interested to learn more about the position of Daoism and Daoist studies within the intercultural dialogues between 'East and West.'. <br>- Journal of Relgion, Thomas Michael, University of Tennessee <br>... John [Clarke] brings a wealth of knowledge and historical understanding to bear, which enriches the reader's perspective. <br>- Daoist Dialogue David Lorimer <br> With The Tao of the West Clarke has accomplished something no one has done before. He has delinated the history of Daoist influence on Western culture in a thorough and credible manner. He has established concrete encounters one by one, while at the same time addressing with skill and sensitivity the analytical issues these appropriations have raised. <br>-Julia Hardy, Muhlenberg College Religious Studies Review, October 2002 <br> This deservedly prize-winning book is more than just a masterful interpretative monograph. Its clear summaries of current scholarship both on Daoism and the history of its study, as well as its comprehensive bibliography, allow The Tao of the West to be used almost as a reference work. Futhermore, it is so well written, incisive and comprehensive that I confess to using it as an inspiration book. I carried it with me for months on end, pulling it out on the bus or before bed, opening it at random and reading a few paragraphs for a quick mental pick-me-up. <br>-Elijah Siegler, University of California, Santa Barbara Religious Studies Review, October 2002 <br> The Tao of West is an important book for all scholars of Daoism, enabling them to more fully appreciate the history of their discipline as well as to reflect upon the constructednature and historical contingency of carious interpretative stances. It is also highly recommended for the general reader and as a required text for and advanced class on Daoism. <br>-Elijah Siegler, Wilfred Laurier University, Daoist Studies <br>

Author Information

J.J Clarke has taught philosophy at McGill University, Montreal, and at the University of Singapore, and is currently Reader in History of Ideas at Kingston University, UK. He is the author of In Search of Jung, Jung and Eastern Thought, and Oriental Enlightenment: The Encounter Between Asian and Western Thought, all published by Routledge.

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