EPISODE · Dec 7, 2021 · 20 MIN
A White Horse Is Not a Horse; It Might Be a Stag
from The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast · host William Han
Current events remind me of two stories from ancient China.First, a philosophical argument from an ancient Chinese equivalent of a Sophist from the Warring States Era reasoning that "a white horse is not a horse."Second, a notorious incident from the Qin Dynasty during which a chancellor displayed his total power by demanding others to pretend that a stag was in fact a horse.Why does the news make me think of these stories? That's up to you.Support the show
What this episode covers
Current events remind me of two stories from ancient China. First, a philosophical argument from an ancient Chinese equivalent of a Sophist from the Warring States Era reasoning that "a white horse is not a horse." Second, a notorious incident from the Qin Dynasty during which a chancellor displayed his total power by demanding others to pretend that a stag was in fact a horse. Why does the news make me think of these stories? That's up to you. Support the show
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A White Horse Is Not a Horse; It Might Be a Stag
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