In January this year, Professor Jessica Rawson, recipient of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sinology, appeared on an episode of the podcast, "Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs," to share insights from her latest book, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China, with host Professor Jeffrey Sachs, laureate of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development.
During their conversation, Professor Rawson provided a comprehensive analysis of the differences between the history and culture of the East and West by delving into various relevant aspects such as geography, climate, animal husbandry, diets, written scripts, as well as metal casting. By examining these facets, Professor Rawson helped deepen our understanding of why ancient China, despite its close connection with the European continent, was able to develop distinct social and cultural characteristics.
In the current geopolitical climate, China’s social structure, shaped by entrenched hierarchies and long-standing political traditions, is frequently at odds with the prevailing values of Western societies. Amidst the global tensions and tumultuous events unfolding in 2024, anyone in search of a roadmap to the possibility of harmony between the two superpowers of China and the United States might be able to find true inspiration in the engaging dialogue between these two intellectual minds.
