Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Economic Principles of Confucius and His School, Vol. 2
In ancient times there was a static theory about the four groups. According to Kuan Tzu, the sage kings settled the students in the quiet place, the artisans in the factory, the merchants in the market-place, and the farmers in the country. Each group collectively lived in a special district by itself and attended to its own business day and night. They practised their occupation when they were young; their minds were satisfied; and they did not like to change their occupations, even when they saw strange things. Therefore, the teaching of their fathers and older brothers was effective without severity, and the learning Of their sons and younger brothers was successful without difficulty.
Hence, the sons of each group usually took up the occupa tion of their fathers. Therefore, these four groups should live separately. Had they all lived together, their talking would be confused and their business would be changed.1 Such a theory was carried out successfully by Kuan T2171, and it was harmonious with the theory Of the Confucians. In fact, the separation of the four groups was not for social distinction, but for occupational specialization.
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