Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture

KEY CONCEPTS

TERMBASES

A White Horse Is Not a Horse

This is an important proposition made by the School of Names. GongsunLongzi(320?-250BC) discussed this thesis in great detail. In his view, “horse” is a name of the physical body of a horse, whereas “white” is the name for white color. “White horse” refers both to “horse” and “white” and therefore is not the same thing as that which is referred to as “horse.” The proposition that “a white horse is not a horse” is meant to point out that the name “horse” can't accurately refer to the particular characteristics of white, brown and black horses. More careful differentiation is necessary in order to indicate an object precisely.

CITATION

The reason why I am famous is because I made the proposition that “a white horse is not a horse.” (Gongsunlongzi)

CITATION

Gongsunlongzi said: “Horses definitely have colors. That is why there are white horses. Suppose horses had no colors: if there were horses only, how could we pick out a white horse? Therefore, whiteness is not a horse. A white horse is horse with whiteness. Is horse with whiteness the same thing as horse? For this reason, I say: A white horse is not a horse.” (Gongsunlongzi)

TAGS：

CORRELATION

Unify Similarity and Difference
The philosopher Hui Shi’s (370?-310? BC) approach to commonality and difference among things was to unite them, regarding commonalities and differences as relative. There are bound to be small or great similarities and differences between any two concrete things. If we look at them from the point of view of commonality, all things have something in common, so they can be said to be similar. If we look at them from the point of view of difference, no two things are completely the same, so they are all different. Whether things are in common or different depends on the perspective from which we look at them. This led Hui Shi to determine that commonalities and differences are not separate; that is, they are unified.

KEY CONCEPTS

A White Horse Is Not a Horse

CORRELATION

Unify Similarity and Difference