Four Exemplars of Ru 儒 (Confucianism) Beyond Comparative Philosophy

“The volume’s strengths include transcending cultural dichotomies (e.g., linking Rosemont to global relational ethics), prioritizing practical philosophy over textual exegesis (applying Confucian ideas to alienation or injustice), and adopting a dialogical, interdisciplinary structure (contributors critique and extend exemplars’ ideas). … this is an indispensable text for Confucian studies and global ethics, demonstrating that impactful philosophy is rooted in shared human experience (relationality, history, harmony) rather than cultural labels.” (Qin Feng, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 51 (4), December, 2025)

Paul J. D’Ambrosio is a fellow of the Institute of Modern Chinese Thought and Culture, professor of Chinese philosophy, and dean of the Center for Intercultural Research, all at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. He is also a researcher at the Ma Yifu Academy, Zhejiang University. Additionally, he is a founder of the 四海为学 “Collaborative Learning” lecture and seminar series. He works by D’Ambrosio include  You and Your Profile  (Columbia University Press, 2021), and  Genuine Pretending  (Columbia University Press, 2017), both with Hans-Georg Moeller, 真假之间 (Kong Xuetang Press, 2020), and  Encountering China  (Harvard University Press, 2018) with Michael Sandel. Additionally, he has authored over 100 articles, chapters, and reviews and is a translator of over a dozen books on Chinese philosophy.

Geir Sigurðsson studied philosophy, sociology and Chinese studies in Europe, the United States, and China. He is Professor of Chinese studies and transcultural philosophy at University of Iceland and Visiting Professor at Ningbo University, China. Geir is author of  Confucian Propriety and Ritual Learning: A Philosophical Interpretation  (2015), an annotated translation of the ancient Chinese classic  Sunzi‘s Art of War  into Icelandic (2019), and co-editor of the volumes  Contemporary Interpretations and Readings of the Yijing: The Changes in Our Times  and  Imaginary Worlds and Imperial Power: The Case of China  (2025).

Hans-Georg Moeller   is a Professor at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Macau. He authored numerous books including  You and Your   Profile: Identity after Authenticity ,  Genuine Pretending: On the Philosophy of the Zhuangzi  (both with Paul D’Ambrosio),  The Moral Fool: A Case for Amorality,   The Radical Luhmann , and  The   Philosophy of the Daodejing , (all with Columbia University Press) .  He is content creator of the YouTube philosophy channels  Carefree Wandering  and  Philosophy in Motion .

Dimitra Amarantidou was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She is Senior Instructor of Philosophy at the University of Macau. Her publications include “The Irony of Confucius” ( Philosophy Compass , 2022), “Irigaray and Confucius: A Collaborative Approach to (Feminist) Agency” ( Journal of Chinese Philosophy , 2022), “Yi mi wei shi: si zhong dangdai xifang daojia shidu zhong de fanfeng yu diaogui” 以謎為匙：四種當代西方道家釋讀中的反諷與吊詭 [The Riddle As Key: Irony and Paradox in Four Contemporary Readings of Daoism] ( Research into Daoist Culture , 2022), and others. She works both individually and collaboratively on translations of contemporary Chinese philosophical works. She is also Fellow of the Center for Intercultural Learning at ECNU, and Editor of the Book Reviews (China/Southeast Asia) section for  Philosophy East and West .