Abstract

Chinese philosophy had important changes as well as advances in the Han dynasty. First, in their study of pre-Qin philosophors, Han scholars focused overwhelmingly on Confucianism; therefore, Lunyu (or Analects) and Mengzi were highly worshiped and finally enshrined as the Classics in the Han Dynasty. While Daoism was dwarfed to a subordinate place, other pre-Qin schools lost their official status and became civilian teachings. Second, many new thinkers emerged in the Han dynasty. On the one hand, many new Confucian thinkers and works emerged, such as Lu JiaLu Jia (陆贾)and his Xinyu, Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu (董仲舒, 179-104 BC) and his Chunqiu Fan Lu, Yang Xiong and his Fayan. On the other hand, many well-known non-Confucian thinkers and works also appeared, such as the new Daoist Liu An and his Huainanzi, the materialist Wang ChongWang Chong(王充，,, 27-97 AD), with the adult name Zhongren(字仲任) and his Lunheng, and the agriculturalist Cui ShiCui Shi (崔寔) and his Simin Yueling.