Non-Western Perspectives: The Chinese Dimension (original) (raw)

Tijdschrift voor Sociale en Economische Geschiedenis/ The Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History

With Worthy Effforts , Catharina Lis and Hugo Soly have presented a marvellous compendium of knowledge on work ethics and work valuations in Europe from Antiquity to the French Revolution. This is highly impressive both in presentation and analysis, since it commits itself to portray an important element of pre-industrial European history of mentalities. Social historians of China and sinologists are sure to appreciate the scope of this book and its broad perspective and long-term range similar in duration to that of the Chinese historical record. As comparative perspectives attain greater importance, books of this category, which are both at the cutting edge of scholarly research and elegantly formulated, are sorely needed by global historians in general and sinologists in particular. Worthy Effforts not only develops great lines of thought, but also gives details and structures in a clear and thought provoking analysis. Its longterm view calls for the consideration of contemporary developments in regions and systems of thought that are not geographically connected. This review highlights points of convergence or marked diffferences between the European and the Chinese historical experience and valuation of work, in both secular and religious thought. A work of similar scope on Chinese work ethics and attitudes is lacking-both in Chinese and any European language. Therefore, this contribution tries to discern which points and authors could be taken up in a future Chinese counterpart to this work. Undeniably, minor contacts have existed for most of the time, but between the extreme ends of the Eurasian continent, social developments have been markedly diffferent. About the author Christine Moll-Murata studied Sinology and Southeast Asian politics at the universities of Heidelberg and Bochum, and worked at the universities of Bochum, Tübingen, Utrecht and at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam. She is currently senior lecturer at the department of Chinese history and philosophy at the university of Bochum, and has published on various aspects of Chinese and comparative history, including the valuation of work, apprenticeship, wages and living standards.