Study of Huainanzi

Author: Sun Jiwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The Huainanzi is a theoretical work in the style of master-disciple debates, holding significant value in literature and history. Its profound and extensive content contains rich philosophical, historical, literary, and other intellectual resources. The main body of the paper is divided into five parts: Part one explores the Confucianist qualities of The Huainanzi. The second part examines the historical philosophy of The Huainanzi. The third part analyzes the composition of the master-disciple thought in The Huainanzi. The fourth part observes the literary characteristics of The Huainanzi. The fifth part interprets the evolution and corresponding features of the myths recorded in The Huainanzi. In this way, a relatively comprehensive examination and discussion of the cultural-historical symbolic significance attached to The Huainanzi is conducted, leading to a comparatively profound understanding of its historical existence. The paper aims to demonstrate that the textual content of The Huainanzi, which is rooted in the pre-Qin and early Han cultural traditions and embodies a spirit of inclusiveness in Confucianism, history, philosophy, literature, and mythological studies, requires us to approach it with a historical and logical mindset to understand its true meaning in cultural construction. The features of The Huainanzi's cultural thought—such as political, practical, aesthetic, and integrative aspects—need to be evaluated with the principles of historical materialism to assess their strengths and limitations.