Dynastic Legend and Philosophical Theory in Recently Discovered Bamboo-Slip Texts

FAIN: FB-52368-06

Sarah Allan
Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH 03755-1808)

Study of a selection of late 4th cen BCE bamboo-slip texts excavated at Guodian in Hubei Province and in the Shanghai Museum collection that discuss succession by merit or heredity. The project will also include a critical edition and translation of the selected texts.

Associated Products

Buried Ideas: Legends of Abdication and Ideal Government in Early Chinese Bamboo-Slip Manuscripts (Book)
Title: Buried Ideas: Legends of Abdication and Ideal Government in Early Chinese Bamboo-Slip Manuscripts
Author: Sarah Allan
Abstract: The discovery of previously unknown philosophical texts from the Axial Age is revolutionizing our understanding of Chinese intellectual history. Buried Ideas presents and discusses four texts found on brush-written slips of bamboo and their seemingly unprecedented political philosophy. Written in the regional script of Chu during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), all of the works discuss Yao’s abdication to Shun and are related to but differ significantly from the core texts of the classical period, such as the Mencius and Zhuangzi. Notably, these works evince an unusually meritocratic stance, and two even advocate abdication over hereditary succession as a political ideal. Sarah Allan includes full English translations and her own modern-character editions of the four works examined: Tang Yú zhi dao, Zigao, Rongchengshi, and Bao xun. In addition, she provides an introduction to Chu-script bamboo-slip manuscripts and the complex issues inherent in deciphering them.
Year: 2015
Publisher: SUNY Press
Type: Single author monograph
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes

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