Research on Ancient Chinese Society (Including Two Other Works) (Twentieth-Century Chinese Historiography) Volume 1 and 2

Author: Guo Moruo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-03
Features: Except for the introduction, Research on Ancient Chinese Society 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 to three thousand years ago, with mixed authenticity and unclear dates. Guo Moruo handled them with caution, demonstrating his expertise in resolving doubts. For example, the three passages Yao Dian, Gao Yao Mo, and Yu Gong were already identified as forgeries by previous scholars. Guo Moruo presented seven pieces of evidence to prove them as creations of Confucianism. Particularly in his interpretation of the content of the Book of Changes, the Book of Documents, and the Book of Songs, there are many novel and insightful analyses. For instance, the once-mysterious Bagua (Eight Trigrams) were often subject to misinterpretations by predecessors. Guo Moruo, however, uncovered their dual meanings related to reproduction and mathematics, using the hexagram and line texts to depict scenes of real life. The sharpness of his thinking and the originality of his interpretations are evident throughout Research on Ancient Chinese Society.