Wai-yee Li traces notions of the pleasures and dangers of things in the literature and thought of late imperial China. She considers core oppositions- people and things, elegance and vulgarity, real and fake, lost and found-to tease out the ambiguities of material culture.
This book explores the concept of pleasure in early Chinese philosophy, contrasting immediate gratification with the pursuit of lasting satisfaction. It delves into how ancient thinkers approached the idea of enjoyment, providing insights into their understanding of happiness and fulfillment. Through this examination, the text highlights the philosophical underpinnings that shaped attitudes towards pleasure in historical Chinese culture.