Introduction
Knowing “Things and Affairs” in Premodern China
Nature, Crafts, and Knowing
Chapter 1. Private Affairs
The Ming Dynasty and the Song Family
Childhood and Education
Driving Forces—The Appointment of Chen Qixin
Song’s Writing Campaign
Chapter 2. Affairs of Honor
Knowledge in Terms of qi: Universal Rulings and Rationality
The Truth in Heaven and the Order of qi
The Power of Heaven—Omens and Eclipses
Systems of Value: The Sage-Kings, the Authority of the Past, and Man’s Role
The Knowledge in Crafts
Chapter 3. Public Affairs
Crafts and the Ming State
Man’s Nature (xing) and Talents
Abilities and Education
Social Permeability and the Commercialization of Society: The Merchant
Customs and Habits
Chapter 4. Written Affairs
Rhetoric of Knowledge Inquiry: Texts and Experience
Images, Technology and Argument
Observing the Nature of qi: Theory and Practice in Knowledge Construction
The Complexity of qi Transformations—Composites and Compositions of qi
Chapter 5. Formulating the Transformation
Reading the Signature of yin-yang qi in Gas, Salt, Wind, and Rain
Growth and Decay: Wood, Corpses, and the Proportional Relation of yin and yang
Glitches in the Matrix of qi: The Concepts of Ashes and Particles
Chapter 6. Acoustics
An Anatomy of Sound
The Human Voice
Volume and Velocity
Resonance and Harmony
Conclusion. Leaving the Theater
Epilogue. Aftermath
By Virtue of Friendship: Literary Sponsorship
By Virtue of Position: Outside and Opposition
By Virtue of Loyalty: Moral Obligations
An Artifact in Transmission: The Editions of the Works of Heaven
Writing about Practical Knowledge in the Chinese Literati World
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1. Chinese Dynasties and Various Rulers
Appendix 2. Song Yingxing curriculum vitae
Appendix 3. Editions of the Tiangong kaiwu 天工開物
Notes
Bibliography
Index