Han dynasty philosophical compendium compiled under the patronage of Liu An, Prince of Huainan — the most comprehensive synthesis of Daoist cosmology with Confucian, Legalist, and Yin-Yang thought in early China.
Provides a Daoist cosmogony (the Dao generates qi, yin-yang, and the myriad things), applies this to governance (the ruler who acts from wu wei is efficacious), and synthesizes the pre-Han philosophical schools into a unified political philosophy.
No conceptual lineage found.
No recorded contemporaries.
No recorded minds influenced.
No conceptual posterity found.
Discussing
Ask anything about Huainanzi — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.