Routledge - The Emergence of Civilizational Consciousness

Explore the origins of identity in early China with this scholarly work from Routledge. This book offers a conceptual history focused on how language shaped the understanding of civilization during the pre-Qin period (before 221 BCE). By examining how specific words were used in ancient texts, the research tracks how early societies constructed a civilized self and defined their relationships with others. This text provides a fresh look at the development of these foundational ideas through a novel approach. It establishes a hermeneutical dialogue between Chinese history and modern European understandings of civilization. Readers will find a deep re-examination of how early Chinese thought negotiated social boundaries and identity through linguistic means. This volume is a significant addition to the Routledge Studies in the Early History of Asia, making it a valuable resource for those studying the historical roots of social consciousness.