Cosmology and Political Culture in Early China (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521027496)

This book offers a radical reinterpretation of the formative stages of Chinese culture and history, tracing the central role played by cosmology in the formation of China's early empires. It crosses the disciplines of history, social anthropology, archaeology, and philosophy to illustrate how cosmological systems, particularly the Five Elements, shaped political culture. By focusing on dynamic change in early cosmology, the book undermines the notion that Chinese cosmology was homogenous and unchanging. By arguing that cosmology was intrinsic to power relations, it also challenges prevailing theories of political and intellectual history.

Author: Aihe Wang
ISBN-10: 0521027497
ISBN-13: 9780521027496
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 11/02/2006
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.58d