Research on Ancient Chinese Society

Author: Guo Moruo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The 20th century has passed, and the history of China has undergone a century of transformation and innovation, a century of prosperity and abundance. The achievements of this century are remarkable, with a generation of renowned scholars emerging, worthy of study and summary. The "20th Century Chinese Historical Classics" published by our press aims to systematically present the historical achievements of the last century, offering readers the works of the most representative historians. "Research on Ancient Chinese Society," in addition to the introduction, includes four main essays: individual studies on the Book of Changes, the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, oracle bone inscriptions, and bronze inscriptions. The Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Songs are ancient texts from over two thousand years ago, with mixed authenticity and unclear historical periods. Guo Moruo handled them with considerable caution, demonstrating his expertise in resolving doubts. For example, the three essays Yao Dian, Gao Yao Mo, and Yu Gong were already identified by predecessors as forgeries. Guo Moruo presented seven pieces of evidence to prove them as creations of Confucianism. Particularly in the interpretation of the content of the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Songs, there are many novel and brilliant insights. For instance, the once-mysterious Bagua () were often subject to various misinterpretations by predecessors. Guo Moruo, however, found dual meanings of reproduction and mathematics within them, depicting a realistic picture of life from the hexagram and line texts. The sharpness of his thought and the novelty of his interpretations are evident throughout "Research on Ancient Chinese Society."