Critique of Chinese Characterology (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Tang Han
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: When the verdicts like "Guo Moruo elevated ancient scripts and early history to a new stage, he was a respected master of oracle bone scriptology among the academic giants of previous generations" still echoed in the Guo Moruo Memorial Hall, a sudden sound of drums calling for battle broke out in a corner of Beijing. The drum caller—Tang Han. He claimed that many scholars, including Guo Moruo, had misinterpreted numerous oracle bone scripts, and that it was a methodological error. – Xinmin Weekly Tang Han firmly believes that Chinese characters originated from the folk, being a direct reflection of folk culture. When studying the origin of a Chinese character, he doesn’t just flip through ancient books but delves into the grassroots to interview people, examine physical artifacts, chat with the elderly, and sometimes even personally experience it. – Beijing Evening News Tang Han’s work is of great significance. Studying oracle bone scripts is crucial for ultimately solving the mysteries of early human civilization, and tracing the origins of early civilizations is both a major historical topic and a fundamental task for contemporary academia. – Liaowang Weekly The person who accomplished this feat is the author of this book, Mr. Tang Han. Before this, he had already completed several million words of multi-volume works, which, though not gaining attention from the academic circles in mainland China, were understandable given that he was just an independent scholar. His unconventional and profound arguments were likely to leave the ivory-tower scholars speechless and unable to respond. As everyone knows, most mainstream scholars today have abandoned the purity and focus of the ivory tower. They chase academic degrees, evaluate titles, bribe their way into journals, fabricate trending papers, and must also curry favor with authorities and smooth interpersonal relationships. They are too busy surviving and pursuing fame and fortune to have the time and mindset to engage in foundational research. Instead, scholars like Mr. Tang Han, who are considered eccentric, live freely like wandering clouds and hermits, pursuing academia for its own sake, not for livelihood, and not seeking fame or status through their studies. They yearn for pure and unadulterated scholarship and strive for ever-deeper research. Such rare individuals are far beyond the reach of ordinary professors or boastful celebrities.