L'idée de Dieu dans la philosophie religieuse de la Chine

The book tackles a long‑standing controversy: whether Chinese thought embraces a deity, leans toward deism, or is fundamentally atheistic. It begins by exposing how Western observers have often lumped an entire civilization into one label without clarifying what “atheist” or “deist” really meant in different eras. By questioning these sweeping judgments, the author sets the stage for a more precise inquiry into the diverse spiritual currents of China.

To untangle the issue, the study focuses on three major currents of East Asian belief: the pre‑Confucian cosmogonic doctrine centred on the concept of Taï‑kih, the moral‑political teachings of Confucius and his followers, and the Taoist philosophy traditionally linked to Lao‑tse. Detailed textual and lexical analysis of ancient classics, especially the early “Five Books,” is used to map how the notion of a creative force evolves across centuries.

Readers will be guided through a careful classification of passages, gaining insight into how varied interpretations of “the Great Ki” reflect a complex, non‑uniform religious landscape. The work promises a nuanced portrait of Chinese thought that resists simplistic atheist or theist conclusions.