This book explores the intellectual history of contract law in ancient China by employing archaeological and empirical methodologies. Divided into five chapters, it begins by reviewing the origin of the contract in ancient China, and analyzing its name, primary form, historical premise and functions. The second chapter discusses free will and lawfulness in the establishment of a contract, offering insights into the impact of contracts on social justice. In turn, the third chapter addresses the inner core of the contract: validity and liability. This allows readers at all levels to identify the similarities and differences between contracts from different eras and different parts of the world, which will also benefit those pursuing comparative research in related fields. Chapters four and five offer a philosophical exploration of contract history in ancient China, and analyze key aspects including human nature and ethical justice.

The first book focusing on the intellectual history of ancient China's contract law concept Demonstrates that China had a highly abstract concept of contracts, and also formed a comprehensive and scientific contract system much earlier than previously assumed Disagrees with the criteria for texts examining and judging a country's contract culture, and provides a scientific and empirical tool for examining and commenting

Inhalt
Archaeological Research on the Origin of Contracts.- Free Will and LawfulnessEstablishment and Related Issues.- Private Contracts as Laws and DecreesValidity and Liabilities of Contract.- Being Reasonable: the Pivot of InterestsPrinciples of Contract.- DesireHumanity Base of Contract and Increase of Contractual Rights.