Seeking Truth beyond Facts: Debates on Facts and History in the Kongcongzi

Crone T (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Monumenta Serica - Journal of Oriental Studies Steyler

Book Volume: 71

Pages Range: 1-19

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1080/02549948.2023.2198392

Abstract

This article analyzes concepts of factual narration in the Kongcongzi, a text that thus far has received little scholarly attention. The author argues that the text indicates a pronounced interest in this subject, and presents different points of view. The first ten chapters of the Kongcongzi tend to manifest a lenient attitude towards narrative factuality, whereas in Chapters Twelve to Twenty-one, the distinction between facts and falsehood seems to become increasingly important. Through a comparative analysis of narratives from both groups of chapters, the author attempts to explore the protagonists’ views on the meaning and purpose of factual narration. The author also explores various conclusions that can be drawn from these insights in the context of the textual history of the Kongcongzi and our understanding of early Chinese narrative prose in general.

Authors with CRIS profile

Thomas Crone Chair for Sinology with a focus on the Intellectual and Cultural History of China (Alexander von Humboldt-Professor)

Additional Organisation(s)

Internationales Forschungskolleg an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg: Schicksal, Freiheit und Prognose: Bewältigungsstrategien in Ostasien und Europa

How to cite

APA:

Crone, T. (2023). Seeking Truth beyond Facts: Debates on Facts and History in the Kongcongzi. Monumenta Serica - Journal of Oriental Studies, 71(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02549948.2023.2198392

MLA:

Crone, Thomas. "Seeking Truth beyond Facts: Debates on Facts and History in the Kongcongzi." Monumenta Serica - Journal of Oriental Studies 71.1 (2023): 1-19.

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