An overview of Chinese philosophy from its beginnings in the sixth century BC until the twentieth century by analyzing the close relation of thought to the political and social conditions of each era. This is History of Chinese Philosophy, an impressive picture of the doctrines of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhist philosophical schools.

The great Sinologist Wolfgang Bauer away from the Eurocentric view to preserve the distinctiveness and originality of Eastern thought and translate their concepts into our coordinates cultural and philosophical terms. The sinologist Hans van Ess also assumed the task of reviewing and updating the manuscript for publication after the death of his master