试论清代“西学中源”说

A TENTATIVE DISCUSSION ON "THE THEORY OF WESTERN LEARNING BEING OF CHINESE ORIGIN" OF THE QING DYNASTY

明末由耶稣会士传入的西方天文学和其它科学技术,使一部份中国上层人士如徐光启、李之藻、杨廷筠等人十分倾心。清人入关后又将先后在徐光启、李天经主持下由耶稣会士编撰的《崇祯历书》(经汤若望略加删改,易名为《西洋新法历书》)颁行天下,并长期任用耶稣会士主持钦天监。康熙本人也以耶稣会士为师,躬自习学西方天文和数学。所有这些,都对中国传统的信念和思想产生了强烈冲击。提出"西学中源"

This paper deals with a theory which is very important for understanding the conflict between Western culture and traditional Chinese culture. At the end of Ming dynasty (1368—1644), the Jesuits introduced Europian astronomy into China and showed it to be better than Chinese astronomy. When the Emperor Chong Zheng gave consideration to using the new calendar made by the Jesuits based on Western astronomy, the Chinese intellectuals were perplexed and alarmed. They thought that was 'using the barbarian ways to change the Chinese'. So the theory 'the Western astronomy and mathematics originated in China' was advanced to relax the difficult position. This theory was suggested by three adherents of Ming dynasty, and afterwards advocated by Emperor Kang Xi. The famous astronomer and mathematician Mei Wending perfected it. Ruan Yuan and other Chinese scholars extended it into other fields such as techniques and medicine.