Huan Tan
| Huan Tan | |
|---|---|
Hanyu Pinyin | Jūnshān |
| Wade–Giles | Chün-shan |
Huan Tan (c. 43 BC – AD 28)
Life
Huan worked as an official under the administrations of Emperor Ai of Han (r. 27–1 BC), Wang Mang (r. AD 9–23), the Gengshi Emperor (r. 23–25), and Emperor Guangwu of Han (r. 25–57).[1] Huan was a close associate of the court astronomer and mathematician Liu Xin, as well as the author and poet Yang Xiong.
Works
In addition to his many rhapsodies, essays, and memorials, Huan's major work was the Xinlun (新论)or New Discussions, which was admired by Emperor Guangwu despite Huan Tan's besmirched reputation for having closely associated himself with the regime of the usurper Wang Mang.
Legacy
Huan's mode of philosophical thought belonged to an
Huan Tan is reported by Yu Yingshi (b. 1930) to uphold self-contradictory views on immortality. On one hand, he is quoted to say that "the way of immortals" is a fabrication of the lovers for the strange; on the other, however, he was reported to admit the practice as genuine and efficient. Possible explanation lies in the fact that the Xinlun was a later compilation which might have confused his own statements with the quotations of his opponents.[4]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Crespigny (2007), p. 338.
- ^ Needham (1986), Vol. IV, Pt. II, p. 392.
- ^ Csikszentmihalyi (2006), p. 27.
- ^ Yu (1965), p. 109.
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-90-04-15605-0.
- Csikszentmihalyi, Mark (2006), Readings in Han Chinese Thought.
- ISBN 978-90-04-19127-3.
- Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Yu, Yingshi (1965), "Life and Immortality in The Mind of Han China", Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, vol. 25.
Further reading
- Huan Tan in: ISBN 90-04-10364-3, pp. 164–165.
- "Hsin-Lun (New Treatise) and Other Writings by Huan T'an (43 B.C. - 28 A.D.)" Timoteus Pokora Michigan Papers in Chinese Studies NO.20 1975 Ann Arbor, Center for Chinese Studies The University of Michigan
