Fate Calculation Experts: Diviners Seeking Legitimation in Contemporary China (Asian Anthropologies, 9)

Having long been stigmatized as an immoral and even illegal “superstition”, the popular practice of divination is experiencing a revival in contemporary China. __Fate Calculation Experts__ explores how diviners attempt to achieve legitimation in a society which identifies strongly with modernity, science, and rationality. As well as associating with modern knowledge production systems, diviners build a positive social image for their occupation via claims to moral authority and appeals to “tradition”. Beyond matters of image management, diviners’ efforts towards legitimation also figure in the social relationships and fundamental cultural values they develop in their practice. Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1. The Social and Political Status of Divination in China Chapter 2. The Practice of Divination and Diviners Chapter 3. Typical Customers of Divination Chapter 4. The Moral Discourses of Divination Chapter 5. Divination as an Aspect of ‘Traditional Culture’ Chapter 6. Divination as Counselling Chapter 7. The Professionalization of Divination through Associations Conclusion References Index As the practice of divination, long stigmatized as an immoral superstition, enjoys a revival in contemporary China, Fate Calculation Experts explores the various ways in which diviners attempt to achieve legitimation in a society which identifies strongly with modernity, science, and rationality.