The Shape of Ideas: Chinese Philosophy in Cultural Relics Author: Zhang Xi Publisher: Sanlian Bookstore

Introduction · · · · · ·

If cultural relics could speak, what would they tell us? In addition to the materials that can be used to identify the age, the art forms that can be appreciated and felt, and the history and stories that can be imagined, what other information do we need to listen to? When we gaze at them, can we feel a connection? The aura of life and the gurgling spirit, through the material form, are buried and re-emerge from the sun, and reach us modern people. The book starts with 72 well-known cultural relics, and tells readers the ancient wisdom and philosophical thoughts in them with great interest. These " concepts " all have their " shapes " , and they come to you in such a lively way, waiting for the moment of meeting you.

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Cultural relics are not dead " things " . They are the expression of the thoughts, beliefs and intentions of a group of people who once lived. Like amber, they solidify the universe, the world, others and themselves in the eyes of our ancestors. The DNA of Chinese civilization and culture is hidden in these amber. This book uses 72 cultural relics as carriers and is divided into 18 themes to tell the philosophical thinking of our ancestors from ancient times to Wang Yangming for dozens of centuries. These thoughts have shaped the spiritual background of Chinese civilization and laid the foundation for the path that the Chinese people need to stick to.

About the Author

Zhang Xi, from Wuhu, Anhui, holds a PhD in Philosophy and a Master of Laws from Peking University. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Humanities, Xiamen University, and has long been engaged in interdisciplinary research in philosophy and ethics.

Table of contents · · · · · ·

Part I Our ancestors and us

Buried

ancestor

wizard

Destiny

philosophy

Filial piety

Part 2 Infinity and eternity

Celestial Phenomenon

universe

empire

wonderland

Part 3 Diversity and unity

Famous teachings

Forest

Buddha

Silk Road

Part 4 Mind and World

Zen

Heavenly Principle

Saints

confidence

end The World After Yangming

postscript

The context of Chinese philosophy before the 16th century