Portrait: AI-generated imagined likeness

Gongsun Long

Philosopher

Years: c. 325 BC–c. 250 BC
Birthplace: China
Birth polity: Zhao
Era: Ancient
Field: Philosophy
Occupations: Philosopher

He was a thinker representing a famous family during the Sengoku period, and is known for his argument that ``A white horse is not a horse.'' He pointedly questioned the relationship between words and reality. It shows the diverse logical thought of the Hundred Schools of the Zhi and conveys the breadth of Chinese thought.

View in catalog

Historical context

Places

Zhao
Birth

Works & achievements

Gongsun Longzi
Book

Events

School of Names
Movement · Participant

Origins

Origins map

Birth country

Birth country: China

Map: Natural Earth (PD)

Biography

Early life

He is said to be a person of the Zhao Dynasty, and was active during the era when feudal lords of the Warring States period invited orators and thinkers. In politics and diplomacy, verbal persuasion and argumentation techniques were of great significance.

Achievements

The debate that is passed down in ``Gongsun Ryuzi'' deals with issues surrounding name and substance, classification, and identity. He questioned the workings of language and the limits of logic from a different direction than Confucianism and legal scholars.

Character & anecdotes

The discussion of Hakuba Hiba is an example of separating the specific concept of a white horse from the concept of horses in general. This is not just a farce, but shows that the classification of words affects our understanding of reality.

Historical Impact

When you study Gongsun Long, you realize that Chinese thought extended not only to morality and politics, but also to philosophy of language and logic. You will be able to understand how important oratory was in the intellectual competition of the Warring States period, and you will be able to see the various schools from various angles.