• Robber Zhi from Zhuangzi
    Sep 26 2024

    A chapter in the Daoist text Zhuangzi that launches a sustained attack on Confucianism, through the mouth of a notorious criminal.

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    20 mins
  • Huang Zongxi and "Waiting for Dawn": Chinese Democratic Theory
    Sep 19 2024

    One of the most influential thinkers -- and his most influential work -- in the history of Chinese democratic thought.

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    22 mins
  • King Li of Zhou and the "Republic" of 841 B.C.
    Sep 12 2024

    Until the advent of modern scholarship, the earliest definitive date in the chronology of Chinese history was 841 B.C. What happened that year that so marked the calendar?

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    17 mins
  • Zhang Zhongjing, Physician
    Sep 5 2024

    Regarding the Han Dynasty physician Zhang Zhongjing.

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    18 mins
  • Li Jie: Architect
    Aug 29 2024

    Regarding the Song Dynasty architect and scholar of architecture.

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    18 mins
  • Li Kui and Shen Buhai, Legalists
    Aug 22 2024

    Everyone knows that Shang Yang reformed the laws and institutions of the State of Qin, setting it up for superpower status and paving the way to the Qin Dynasty. But a number of earlier reformers prefigured Shang Yang. Here are two of them.

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    20 mins
  • Wang Yangming, Philosopher
    Aug 15 2024

    The story of the deeply influential Ming Dynasty philosopher.

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    29 mins
  • Zichan, Criminal Law, and the Soul
    Aug 8 2024

    The 6th century B.C. statesman of the State of Zheng promulgated the first published criminal code in Chinese history. Moreover, it is through him that we know how the ancient Chinese understood the nature of the soul.

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    20 mins