摘要
by Ye Xiaoqing, compares the influx of Western learning during two periods in Chinese history — the late Ming-early Qing period and the late Qing period — and concludes that the influx of Western learning was more effective during the latter period. The author holds that although the difference between Chinese and Western cultures was evident to the Chinese after the Jesuits came to China in the latter period of the Ming Dynasty, it was not until the Westernization Movement in the latter period of the Qing Dynasty that traditional Chinese culture began to be questioned. The author shows how the measures taken by the Westernizers within the Chinese government in the late Qing period, which were intended to make up for the inadequacies in Chinese culture with Western science and technology, became one of the forces for the evolution of Chinese society. In discussing the impact of Western learning on Chinese traditional culture, the author argues that the only criterion for judging a cultural norm is to see whether it hinders the development of society.
by Ye Xiaoqing, compares the influx of Western learning during two periods in Chinese history — the late Ming-early Qing period and the late Qing period — and concludes that the influx of Western learning was more effective during the latter period. The author holds that although the difference between Chinese and Western cultures was evident to the Chinese after the Jesuits came to China in the latter period of the Ming Dynasty, it was not until the Westernization Movement in the latter period of the Qing Dynasty that traditional Chinese culture began to be questioned. The author shows how the measures taken by the Westernizers within the Chinese government in the late Qing period, which were intended to make up for the inadequacies in Chinese culture with Western science and technology, became one of the forces for the evolution of Chinese society. In discussing the impact of Western learning on Chinese traditional culture, the author argues that the only criterion for judging a cultural norm is to see whether it hinders the development of society.
