ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

            The writing of this set of lectures was stimulated by a series of colloquia held in China with the faculties of philosophy of the University of Peking and Fudan University and with the Institute of Philosophy of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. During these deep and extended conversations philosophical issues of deep importance to the Chinese people were surfaced. It was particularly a colloquium on Confucianism and Christianity with the International Academy of Chinese Culture under the direction of Prof. Tang Yi-jie of Peking University that focused the set of issues to which these lectures were designed to respond.

            Deep gratitude is extended to Prof. Liu Fang Tong and the faculty and graduate students of philosophy of Fudan University, Shanghai, for the invitation to deliver these lectures, for their close attention and for their probing discussion of the themes both in and after the formal presentations.

            In the preparation of the manuscript Mrs. Bonnie Kennedy and Linda Perez were of special help, along with Nancy Graham who provided close proof reading and Hu Ye-ping who assisted with the final typesetting of this volume.

            To all of them, and to the James A. McLeans for their continued support, special thanks are due.