A Study of the New and Old Learning

廖平Jun 2024

4.3

Word count: 37K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are marked by a high degree of originality, inventiveness, and literary quality. Early forms of thought are highly distinctive, and the religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military writings, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and other schools of thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and customs and local gazetteers are all profound and extensive in content. This "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series preserves the appearance of the original books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their temperament and subtly appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Jin Gu Xue Kao (A Study of the New Text and Old Text Schools) is a representative work of Liao Ping's study of the classics. It conducts a systematic examination centered on the division between the New Text and Old Text schools of classical learning, and is an important text for understanding the transformation of classical studies in the late Qing and the history of modern scholarship. Liao Ping's scholarship takes the analysis of scholarly lineages and the distinction between the New and Old Text schools as its guiding framework. His treatment of such issues as the transmission of classical learning in the two Han dynasties, master-disciple lineages and family methods, and the attribution of classics is still valued today by those who study the history of classical learning. This edition belongs to the "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series, preserves the appearance of the original book, and focuses on preserving authenticity and transmitting it. It is suitable for use as a base text for studying the original. Readers should note that this book is a specialized field of study, dense with terminology and elaborate in citation; it is not a popular reader. Its value lies not in offering conclusive common knowledge about Chinese learning, but in showing how divisions within classical studies were handled systematically. For readers concerned with the scholarly context of the Qing and modern periods, the history of classical learning, and intellectual history, this book provides irreplaceable primary material; for general enthusiasts of Chinese learning, it can serve as an advanced reader, best studied alongside an introduction to the history of classical learning.

Who it's for

A good fit for

University teachers, students, and researchers studying the history of classical learning and Qing scholarship
Advanced readers with a systematic interest in the division of schools in traditional Chinese scholarship
Scholars writing papers who need to consult Liao Ping's theories of the New and Old Text schools
Collectors of original classics of Chinese learning who value the preservation of authentic editions

Not a good fit for

Beginners who hope to learn basic knowledge of Chinese learning from scratch
Casual readers who prefer popular explanations and storytelling
Readers impatient with specialized classical terminology who seek quick reading

Reading tips

First read the table of contents and preface to grasp the basic framework of the New and Old Text division, then read chapter by chapter.
Keep an introduction to the history of classical learning at hand for comparison, and check terminology of master-disciple lineages and family methods as needed.
After each section, use brief notes to sort out its line of argument and sources of citation.
Do not feel compelled to finish it in one sitting; study it by topic in several sessions, focusing on understanding the analytical approach.

版权信息
卷上
卷下
经话

FAQ

Can I read this book directly without any foundation in classical studies?

You can, but it will be quite difficult. The book is dense with terminology and elaborate in citation, and without basic knowledge of classical studies it is easy to remain at the literal level. It is advisable first to acquire a basic outline of Han dynasty classical learning and Qing scholarship, then approach this book, or read it alternately with an introduction to the history of classical learning, gradually building a conceptual framework.

What issues does this book mainly discuss?

At its core is the distinction between the New Text and Old Text schools of classical learning, involving the transmission of classical learning in the two Han dynasties, master-disciple lineages and family methods, the attribution of classics, and the origins of scholarly schools. Liao Ping takes the analysis of scholarly lineages as his guiding framework and systematically handles the New-Old division; it is an important text for understanding the transformation of classical studies in the late Qing.

What are the features of this edition?

This edition belongs to the "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series. It focuses on preserving the appearance of the original book and takes the preservation and transmission of authenticity as its orientation; it is suitable as a base text for studying the original. Readers can thereby grasp the original book's appearance and mode of argument rather than relying on adapted or popularized retellings.

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About the author

廖平 Author

Liao Ping is a scholarly author about whom relatively little biographical information is publicly available; neither his academic background nor his dates and place of birth are clearly recorded. Judging from the six works collected here, his interests span classical studies, history, philosophy, and medicine. Representative works such as An Examination of the New and Old Text Schools and An Examination of the Old Text School reflect his systematic inquiry into the New Text and Old Text controversies in classical learning, while A Critical Study of Du Yu's Collected Explanations of the Zuo Tradition to the Spring and Autumn Annals shows his deep engagement with the commentarial tradition on the Zuo Tradition. The Miscellaneous Writings of Siyi Hall gathers a variety of his scholarly notes and discussions, marked by a rigorous, evidence-centered style. His output also includes a translated account of English history and an edition of the medical text Supplementary Nurturing and Guidance Methods from Chao Yuanfang's Treatise on the Origins of Diseases, showing the breadth of his reach. His works consist mainly of topical textual research and documentary analysis and are suited to readers interested in traditional scholarship and classical interpretation.