Researches On The Finishing Time Of Zuozhuan From Different Perspectives

The time when Zuozhuan is accomplished is the key to resolve other problems like who is the author of Zuozhuan? and what is the relationship between Zuozhuan and Chunqiu? At present, there have been disputes on the matter as to the time when Zuozhuan is finished. Some argue that it is in late Chunqiu and some claim in the middle period of Zhanguo, even there are people saying that it is counterfeited by LiuXin in Xihan. Until now, most scholars have the agreement that Zuozhuan is accomplished in the middle Zhanguo, while their opinions on the exact time are diversified.Based on the researching methods and the achievements available, the present thesis is an attempt to determinate the time when the main body of Zuozhuan is accomplished by analyzing the following three aspects: its moral trend, the sources of its historial materials and its prophecy. The present thesis in addition to an introduction and a conclusion consists of three parts:Firstly, to determinate the time according to its moral trend. Researches have pointed out that since the thoughts reflected in Zuozhuan are basically Confucianism and at the same time traces of thoughts from others like branches of Confucianism, early Legalists and Military Strategists can also be found, it is safer to say that Zuozhuan is the product of a certain historical period that spans from late Chunqiu to Middle Zhanguo. Therefore, the main body of Zuozhuan is completed between late Chunqiu and middle Zhanguo.Secondly, to determinate the time according to the sources of its materials. Zuozhuan offers a detailed account of every incidents and the historical materials of which should come from Ceshu which is in the charge of historiographers of every vassal states. The prerequisite for the author of Zuozhuan to acquire these materials is that with the perish of those vassal states, the historical materials are passed out of their own states. Thus the main body of Zuozhuan is finished after late Chunqiu accordingly.Thirdly, to determinate the time according to the result of the prophesy. Beginning with the explanation whether prophesy can be used to decide the time when Zuozhuan is accomplished, this part offers a detailed analysis of several prophecy which is more controversial but cited by scholars widely. Therefore, Zuozhuan should be finished in no later than 50s of the 4th century BC.The final conclusion is that, based on the above research carried out from three different perspectives, the main body of the Zuozhuan is finished in the 50s-60s of the 4th century BC.