| Abstract |
This thesis attempts to re-examine the question of quoting the title of “Lun Yu” in “Fang Ji” (of Li Ji) and “Qi Shi Er De Zi Jie” (of Kong Zi Jia Yu), and to discuss whether the title of “Lun Yu” existed in pre-Qin time, or if it was later added by Confucianists in Han dynasty. “Fang Ji” and “Qi Shi Er De Zi Jie” were to determine when Lun Yu was named. Earlier Japanese scholar Takeuchi Yoshio construed that, according to literary format and context, the quotation of “Lun Yu” in “Fang JI” did not exist in pre-Chin dynasty, and was later added by other Confucianists. Mr Yishio’s idea was generally accepted, and is still the most influential up to present days. “Qi Shi Er De Zi Jie” is from Kong Zi Jia Yu, which was generally believed a pseudo work by Wang Su, and was therefore of no credibility by most scholars. The later excavation, however, gives further proofs that Li Ji and Kong Zi Jia Yu are not pseudo works. Scholars thus start to bring back the contents of “Fang Ji” and Kong Zi Jia Yu as proofs to illustrate the title of “Lun Yu” firstly emerged from pre-Chin dynasties. Due to the excavation of “Zi Yi”, many scholars are convinced that contemporary edition of “Fang Ji” was also existent in pre-Chin time. And these scholars posit that the title of “Lun Yu” quoted in “Fang Ji” is an evidence that the title of Lun Yu was actually named in pre-Chin time. This paper offers comprehensive dimensions to re-examine the quotation of the title of “Lun Yu” in “Fang Ji” and “Qi Shi Er De Zi Jie”. This paper is to argue that, even with the excavation of relevant documents, this question is still speculative, and needs more careful scrutiny. |
