In this major contribution to the study of the Chinese classics
and comparative religion, John Henderson uses the history of
exegesis to illuminate mental patterns that have universal and
perennial significance for intellectual history. Henderson relates
the Confucian commentarial tradition to other primary exegetical
traditions, particularly the Homeric tradition, Vedanta, rabbinic
Judaism, ancient and medieval Christian biblical exegesis, and
Qur'anic exegesis. In making such comparisons, he discusses some
basic assumptions common to all these traditions--such as that the
classics or scriptures are comprehensive or that they contain all
significant knowledge or truth and analyzes the strategies deployed
to support these presuppositions. As shown here, primary
differences among commentarial or exegetical traditions arose from
variations in their emphasis on one or another of these assumptions
and strategies. Henderson demonstrates that exegetical modes of
thought were far from arcane: they dominated the
post-classical/premodern intellectual world. Some have persisted or
re-emerged in modern times, particularly in ideologies such as
Marxism. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Scripture,
Canon, and Commentary is not only a challenging interpretation of
comparative scriptural traditions but also an excellent
introduction to the study of the Confucian classics.
Originally published in 1991.
The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand
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