Pre-Qin philosophers' prose

Author: Yang Shuzeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-08-01
Features: The term "pre-Qin philosophical prose" actually refers only to the writings of various academic schools during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Prior to this, Chinese prose had already developed for at least a thousand years, and pre-Qin philosophical prose carries a long-standing cultural heritage. Pre-Qin philosophical prose originated directly from the official culture, also known as the scribe culture, with its representative classics being the so-called "Six Classics" or "Six Arts," namely the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, Book of Music, Book of Changes, and Spring and Autumn Annals. On one hand, pre-Qin philosophical prose drew upon and inherited the essence of thought and art from the Six Classics; on the other hand, it made significant breakthroughs and innovations in terms of thought and artistic expression. This freed prose from strict official control and liberation from the constraints of Confucian classics, transforming it into a tool for personal free expression of ideas. Together with the historical and biographical literature that branched out from the scribe culture, it pioneered a glorious golden age for Chinese prose.