Synopsis
In this strikingly original contribution to our understanding of Chinese philosophy, François Jullien uses the Chinese concept of shi ― disposition or circumstance, power or potential ― as a touchstone to explore Chinese culture and to uncover the intricate and coherent structure underlying Chinese modes of thinking.
This term ― whose very ambivalence and disconcerting polysemy, on the one hand, and simple efficacy, on the other, defy the order of a concept ― insinuates itself into the ordering and conditioning of reality in all its manifold and complex representations. Jullien traces its appearance from military strategy to politics, from the aesthetics of calligraphy and painting to the theory of literature, and from reflection on history to “first philosophy.”
At the point where these various domains intersect, a fundamental intuition, assumed to be self-evident for centuries on end, emerges: namely, that reality ― every kind of reality ― may be perceived as a particular deployment or arrangement of things to be relied upon and worked to one’s advantage. Art or wisdom, as conceived by the Chinese, lies in strategically exploiting the propensity that emanates from this particular configuration of reality. Jullien’s analysis of shi and his excursion through Chinese culture ultimately deepen our own comprehension of the world of things and renew the impulse to discover the endless pleasures of inquiry.
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About the Author
François Jullien is Professor at the Université Paris VII-Denis Diderot and director at the Institut de la Pensée Contemporaine. He is the author of Detour and Access: Strategies of Meaning in China and Greece, The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China, and In Praise of Blandness: Proceeding from Chinese Thought and Aesthetics all published by Zone Books.
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China
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Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Text clean and unmarked. Binding tight. Covers have very light wear. Tiny spot on black inside of front cover from removed sticker. Edges of pages have light wear. Seller Inventory # 5053404
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China (Zone Books)
Seller: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. In this book, his first to appear in English, French sinologistFrancois Jullien uses the Chinese concept of shi--meaningdisposition or circumstance, power or potential--as a touchstone toexplore Chinese culture and to uncover the intricate structureunderlying Chinese modes of thinking. Translator(s): Lloyd, Janet. Num Pages: 320 pages, 15. BIC Classification: 1FPC; HPDF; JFC. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28. Weight in Grams: 590. Good clean copy with minor shelfwear. DJ has some minor nicks and tears, remains very good. 1995. hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KSG0033928
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The Propensity of Things; Toward a History of Efficacy in China
Seller: Hackenberg Booksellers ABAA, El Cerrito, CA, U.S.A.
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Translated by Janet Lloyd. 317 [1]p., original black cloth. Seller Inventory # 055895
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China
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Hard cover. Condition: Very good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very good. Jacket edges are slightly worn. Spine is cracked but secure. Cover edges are gently worn. Top edge has stamp from previous owner. Inside is unmarked. Seller Inventory # 1145640
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China (Zone Books)
Seller: Kennys Bookshop and Art Galleries Ltd., Galway, GY, Ireland
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Condition: Very Good. In this book, his first to appear in English, French sinologistFrancois Jullien uses the Chinese concept of shi--meaningdisposition or circumstance, power or potential--as a touchstone toexplore Chinese culture and to uncover the intricate structureunderlying Chinese modes of thinking. Translator(s): Lloyd, Janet. Num Pages: 320 pages, 15. BIC Classification: 1FPC; HPDF; JFC. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28. Weight in Grams: 590. Good clean copy with minor shelfwear. DJ has some minor nicks and tears, remains very good. 1995. hardcover. . . . . Seller Inventory # KSG0033928
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China
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Zone Books, New York, N. Y., 1995
ISBN 10: 0942299949
ISBN 13: 9780942299946
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. The dust jacket has a little wear. The page edges are lightly foxed. 320 pages. Books listed here are not stored at the shop. Please contact us if you want to pick up a book from Newtown. Seller Inventory # 168115
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The Propensity of Things. Toward a History of Efficacy in China
Published by
Zone Books, New York, 1995
ISBN 10: 0942299949
ISBN 13: 9780942299946
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Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. 1st Edition. 318 p. Some underlinings at the first pages. Translated by Janet Lloyd. Seller Inventory # 015094
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The Propensity of Things: Towards a History of Efficacy in China
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The Propensity of Things: Toward a History of Efficacy in China
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hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0942299949