Abstract
A salient feature of the discourse on animals in texts from the Warring States, Qin and Han periods is the absence of a tendency to analyse and discuss the animal world as the object of a distinct realm of knowledge. With the exception of a small number of text fragments which evince what approximates a “biological” interest in the animal world and a series of lexicographic entries organised according to proto-zoological headings in early dictionaries—mainly the Erya and Xu Shen’s (ca. 30-124 C.E.) Shuowen jiezi —, attempts at analysing animal behaviour and at classifying animals into theoretically defined taxonomies or proto-biological categories are remarkably uncommon throughout early Chinese texts.1 As such the early Chinese corpus sharply contrasts with the situation in ancient Greece, where by
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
