ABSTRACT
Ancient China’s unique rationalism can only be formulated if central events and developments in this civilization’s history are investigated and only if their influence is assessed. Chapter 10 turns to this task.
It first addresses China’s stratification configuration: the centrality of the clan, magical spirits, patrimonial rulership, and the literati stratum are examined. Important as well are the restrictions placed upon the rationalization of action in the economy, religion, and law domains. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the circumscription of the rationalization of action in several life-spheres. China’s rationalism is then defined. Here Weber emphasizes its divergence from Western rationalism and the causes behind the failure of ancient China to develop an array of “substantive conditions” that could have set into motion in China the rise of modern capitalism. Throughout, Weber’s civilizations analytic directly assists his fine-grained demarcation of China’s uniqueness.
