Timing and Rulership in Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals (Lüshi chunqiu)

James D. Sellmann is Professor of Philosophy and Director of East Asian Studies at the University of Guam.

"…an eponymously timely discussion of a topic that is often overlooked in recent studies of Chinese Philosophy." — Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy"Sellmann's book … is relevant not only as a study on a yet somewhat neglected text but also as an exploration into some basic concepts of ancient Chinese thought that, particularly in the case of time and timing, have not yet been given adequate academic attention." — China Review International"Sellmann's is an engaging and interesting study of a fascinating work, and should appeal to all interested in philosophy and intellectual history of the times around and during Qin rule, with special appeal for anyone interested in applied eclecticism." — Nachrichten"Sellmann … provides an important contribution to our understanding of the common roots of Confucian, Taoist, and even Buddhist ideals. Overall, a sound, thoughtful, and worthwhile analysis." — Religious Studies Review"The book is grounded in the original text of the Lüshi chunqiu; it offers a new perspective on zajia, or syncretic philosophy in ancient China. Although 'time' and/or 'proper timing' are discussed in Western philosophy, the concept has received little direct attention in Chinese philosophy, which is somewhat unusual because the issue is so central to understanding Chinese thinking. Sellmann provides a significant and devoted study to the concept of time and proper timing and the book is a first step in addressing the topic's neglect." — David Jones, Kennesaw State University"The book presents its own philosophy which Sellmann clarifies by emphasizing the idea of timing in both the extrinsic and intrinsic sense. It is important as a survey of earlier traditional positions, as well as for its influence on later forms of Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, and even Daoism and Buddhism." — Alan Fox, University of Delaware

• AcknowledgmentsA Note Concerning Conventions Used in This Book Chapter 1. Introduction: The Lüshi chunqiu's Background and Foreground Lü Buwei and the LSCQSeason Timing (chunqiu) and the Nature of the LSCQThe LSCQ's ImpactThe Mythification of History Chapter 2. The LSCQ's Programmatic Conceptions of Xing: Cultivating Desires in the Process of Life The LSCQ's Seasonal Arrangement of Traditional Theories on Xing Chapter 3. An Emergent Social Order Human Character and Social Order: An AnalogyA Survey of Pre-Qin Organic and Instrumental Positions and Their Impact on the LSCQThe LSCQ's Uniþed Eclectic Conception on the Origin and Role of the State: An Organic Instrumental Position Chapter 4. Proper Timing in the Cosmic, Historical, and Moral Realms Cosmic and Seasonal Proper TimingHistorical Proper TimingProper Timing in Moral and Interpersonal Relations Chapter 5. Applying Proper Timing to Contemporary Issues Is Social and Political Philosophy Culture Bound?Contemporary Philosophy and the LSCQ Appendix I. Phenomenological and Etymological Conceptions of Timing (Shi) Appendix II. A Study of Xingming zhi Qing in the LSCQ: The Achievement of One's Character (Xing) in One's Natural Relations (Ming) NotesBibliographyIndex