Abstract:

The authors ofChinese ancient encyclopedia, unable to extricate themselves from environment no matter how they set up the category for their object, were induced by image of nature and society, and actively or passively convert the mentality into preset text. Along this thought way, adding some western theory of classification, this paper form theme that classification is the mode and method of thinking. Assuming we study the moving path, from primitive thinking to classification of Chinese ancient encyclopedia, drawing support from Beitang Shucao, we can makeup the thought of Chinese classification and the state of concrete process. With the help of ability of classification theory which differentiate all things in world, this paper try to discover how the classification explain the order of cosmos, society, and life.

Key words: Knowledge, Classification, Order, BeiTangShuCao