The Animal and the Daemon in Early China

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The book delves into early Chinese thought, particularly during the Warring States and Han dynasties, examining how cultural perceptions of animals shaped human self-understanding and ideals of sagehood and authority. Roel Sterckx argues that early Chinese views did not draw strict boundaries between animals, humans, and other beings like spirits. Instead, it presents the animal world as an integral part of a cohesive system where relationships among living species are seen as interconnected and interdependent, reflecting both natural and cultural dimensions.