from ETHICS (October 2000):

"An impressive achievement in comparative philosophy, this book covers a broad sweep and includes chapters on ontology, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of language. It reads easily while insightfully addressing fundamental issues with large implications."

"This book culminates in an interesting and plausible argument that the best course for the potential democratization of China is for a thick, value-laden, conception of democracy to exist side by side with a robust Confucianism as complementary value systems, on the model of the coexistence of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism."

from JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION (March 2001):

"This volume by Chenyang Li is a substantial contribution to comparative theology, at once erudite, subtle, and brilliant in its argument."

"Each of the chapters can be read as a separate stand-alone essay, and as such each is imaginative, demonstrative of new insights, technically disciplined, and a contribution to its topic."

"Li's book is far more than a set of comparative essays; rather it is a sustained systematic argument for a new position in the current debate about democracy in China, one that emphasizes the inconsistencies of democracy with Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism."

"Li's position is serious and extremely well argued. It is not merely comparative philosophy but a creatitive venture that brings philosophies into comparison by its own substance."

from CHOICE (September 1999):

"This book fills a timely need for systematic examination and treatment of fundamental philosophical problems from a comparative perspective, with special reference to the Chinese and Western traditions. Chenyang Li is eminently qualified to write this book, as his learning encompasses philosophies of China as well as those of the West.In Seven chapters, Li lucidly discusses being, truth, language, ethics, family, religion, and justice by comparing and contrasting the Confucian, Taoist, and Western approaches. He also suggests ways and means of harmoniously accommodating, in modern China, Confucian and Western democratic values. His critique of Kripke's theory of naming is cogent and persuasive."

"[T]his book is a very valuable contribution to comparative philosophy."