Fate Calculation Experts: Diviners Seeking Legitimation in Contemporary China - Ingram Academic
In an era where scientific rationality often dismisses spiritual practices, this insightful study delves into the fascinating resurgence of divination in contemporary China. It meticulously examines how 'fate calculation experts' navigate their stigmatized history, striving for legitimacy within a society deeply committed to modernity. The book reveals their strategic methods, from aligning with contemporary knowledge frameworks to asserting moral authority and invoking ancestral traditions. Beyond mere public relations, their efforts shape profound social connections and reinforce core cultural values within their professional sphere.
Praise for this book
“As one of the few book-length studies on Chinese contemporary divination, this work does justice to the importance of divination as a social phenomenon in the Chinese world... With its fluid style avoiding technical jargon, this monograph will appeal to specialists of Chinese religions as well as to anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of quotidian morality in China...”
“In this book Geng Li dissects the ways in which diviners legitimate their practice in China. In so doing she generates deep insights into the modes of legitimization in contemporary China, the fault-lines of contemporary politics and the types of anxieties that are generated in a society that is rapidly modernizing while reinventing strict codes of hierarchy, growing in wealth while generating inequality, and dreaming of a new world order while reminiscing about an idealized past.”
“[This book] provides a very rich ethnographic account of the legitimation efforts of diviners... It meets a pressing need for such an account in the field of Chinese religions, and also provides comparative material from mainland China which will make a significant ethnographic contribution to the comparative anthropology of divination.”
📝 Description: Fate Calculation Experts: Diviners Seeking Legitimation in Contemporary China - Ingram Academic
📑 What's inside
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Conclusion
- References Index
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
This book is essential for readers fascinated by the resilience of esoteric traditions in secular environments. It offers a nuanced look at how 'fate calculation experts' maintain relevance despite societal stigma and scientific skepticism. Those interested in cultural anthropology, the sociology of religion, or the adaptation of traditional Chinese philosophy will find deep value here. The text reveals how these practitioners strategically align with modern knowledge frameworks to assert moral authority. It is particularly rewarding for scholars seeking to understand the complex social connections formed through spiritual practice in contemporary Asia. By examining their efforts for legitimation, readers gain insight into broader themes of identity, tradition, and modernity.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Li’s study provides a rigorous academic examination of divination’s resurgence in China, appealing primarily to sociologists and cultural historians. It meticulously details the strategic maneuvers used by practitioners to navigate stigma. However, this text is NOT suited for casual readers seeking practical divination guides or those expecting a narrative-driven exploration of mystical experiences. The dense academic prose and focus on professional legitimation may alienate general enthusiasts of occultism. It is best reserved for scholars analyzing the intersection of tradition, science, and social status in modern Chinese society.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
For those fascinated by the endurance of ancient wisdom in modern contexts, this book offers profound insights. If you seek to understand how spiritual practices adapt and legitimize themselves amidst scientific rationality, it provides a compelling and illuminating exploration of cultural resilience.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Divination's Modern Legitimacy
Explores the sophisticated strategies Chinese diviners employ to gain acceptance and respect in a society that prioritizes scientific and rational thought. It highlights their efforts to reconcile ancient practices with contemporary societal expectations, showcasing how they adapt and justify their roles amidst skepticism and historical stigma.
Revival Amidst Stigma
Details the remarkable comeback of divination in China, despite its long-standing classification as "superstition." The book analyzes the historical and ongoing societal pressures faced by practitioners and how they actively work to reframe public perception, transforming a once-forbidden art into a recognized cultural practice.
Moral Authority & Tradition
Examines how diviners leverage claims of moral uprightness and deep roots in traditional Chinese culture to enhance their professional image. This theme uncovers the ways these practitioners intertwine ethical conduct and ancestral wisdom to build trust and establish credibility within their communities and with their clients.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Legitimation
- Divination
- Stigmatization
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How do perceived "superstitions" in your own culture navigate the demands of modernity and scientific understanding?
- Consider a practice or belief once stigmatized that has since gained acceptance. What strategies were crucial for its legitimation?
- In what ways do individuals or groups use appeals to "tradition" or "moral authority" to validate their work or beliefs in contemporary society?
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📖 From the series “Asian Anthropologies”
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