History of Ancient Chinese Thought

Author: Qi Yanchen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-29
Features: No matter who believes that the deeds of renowned figures in ancient times hold deeper meaning than what they do today, I do not believe they can truly understand history. — Emerson. This book organizes and compiles over five thousand years of official and civilian discourse materials, from the legendary Yellow Emperor, the humanistic ancestor of the Chinese nation, to the late Qing Dynasty. Written in an accessible historical style, it describes distinctive discourse events, outlining the three major characteristics of ancient Chinese discourse: First, official discourse within the system dominates, forming a unique trait where the openness of system discourse serves as a sign of political clarity. Second, civilian free speech is scarce, but it becomes an indicator of impending social upheaval and gradually accumulates into a uniquely Chinese folklore culture in the course of history. Third, the methods of discourse expression and their acceptance vary across different dynasties and specific historical periods. This book features clear historical logic, concise theoretical summaries, and detailed narratives centered on historical events, making it both an engaging popular read for the general audience and a valuable reference for professional historians.