The Mingjia & Related Texts

Translators & Annotators:
Ian Johnston and Wang Ping

Publication date:
November 2019

Publisher:
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press

Abstract:
The Mingjia (名家, School of Names) is a notional grouping of philosophers first recorded as such in the Shiji. Their identifying feature was a concern with linguistic issues particularly involving the correct use of names. The group, as listed in the Han Shu, comprised seven men living between the sixth and third centuries BCE. Only four of these men— Deng Xi 鄧析, Yin Wen 尹文, Hui Shi 惠施, and Gongsun Long 公孫龍— have extant writings attributed to them, and in three of these there are issues of authenticity. Nevertheless, it is an important group for an understanding of the development of pre-Qin philosophy as the men themselves and the concepts they explored feature prominently in the writings of the other schools.

The present volume contains four parts: (i) the extant writings of the four men; (ii) all significant references to them in other works up the fourth century CE; (iii) other significant writings on the topics up to that time; and (iv) four appendices on specific issues concerning the school.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

I. Texts and Translations

1. Deng Xizi

2. Yin Wenzi

3. Hui Shi’s Conversations with Zhuang Zhou (Zhuangzi)

4. Paradoxes (Theses) of Hui Shi & Others

5. Gongsun Longzi (Traditional Version)

6. Gongsun Longzi (A Modern Version)

II. Testimonia et Fragmenta

1. Dynastic Histories

2. Zuo Zhuan

3. Zhuangzi

4. Xunzi

5. Han Feizi

6. Liezi

7. Lü Shi Chunqiu

8. Huainanzi

9. Zhanguoce

10. Yantie Lun

11. Shuo Yuan

12. Liu Xiang and Liu Xin

13. Fa Yan (Yang Xiong)

14. Xin Lun (Huan Tan)

15. Feng Yan

16. Lun Heng (Wang Chong)

17. Gao You (Commentaries)

18. Zhong Lun (Xu Gan)

19. Yin Wenzi Xu (Zhongchang Tong)

20. Kongcongzi (Wang Su)

21. Lu Sheng (Jin Shu)

22. Baopuzi (Ge Hong)

23. Shishuo Xinyu (Liu Yiqing)

III. Related Texts

1. Lunyu IV.5, VIII.19, IX.2, XIII.3

2. Daodejing 1 & 2

3. Guanzi 36, 37, 38 – Xinshu Shang, Xinshu Xia, Bai Xin

4. Mozi 40-45 – Dialectical Chapters of the Later Mohists

5. Zhuangzi 2 – “Qiwu Lun”

6. Xunzi 22 – “Zheng Ming”

7. Hanfeizi 8 & 41 – “Yang Que” & “Wen Bian”

8. Shiji 47 – “Kongzi Shijia”

9. Zhonglun (Xu Gan) 8 & 11 – “He Bian” & “Kao Wei”

10. Yanjin Yilun (Ouyang Jian)

11. Zhaolun (Sengzhao) – “Buzhenkong Lun”, “Banruo Wuzhi Lun” & “Niepan Wuming”

IV. Appendices

1. Additional Comments on the Paradoxes

2. Authenticity and Other Issues regarding the Gongsun Longzi

3. Additional Commentary on the Mozi, Dialectical Chapters

4. Notes on the Relationship between the Gongsun Longzi and the Later Mohists