Pre-modern Chinese crafts,such as iron smelting,cookery,medicine,and the production of vehicles,bows,and arrows indicate the traditional Chinese view of technology as being organic,holistic,and comprehensive.This view...Pre-modern Chinese crafts,such as iron smelting,cookery,medicine,and the production of vehicles,bows,and arrows indicate the traditional Chinese view of technology as being organic,holistic,and comprehensive.This view of technology is guided by the concept of he(和)and employs the means and methods of he,thus achieving the purport of he.In Chinese,the character he(和)possesses positive connotations.It originated from the meaning of"to season;to add flavoring to"(调和)and that of flavors being"perfectly harmonious"(和美).From this sensory experience,he gradually extended to the abstract levels of materiality,humanity,sociality,"order"(wei位),and "power,situation,force"(shi势).Finally,he was elevated to the supreme level of"qi of great harmony"(taihe zhi qi太和之气),which is comparable to the concept of dao(道).The philosophy of he has exerted wide impact on such areas as technology,art,national character,cultural psychology,and behavior patterns,and has become an integral part of China's inherent culture.The paradoxes and deviations of he hold their own profound philosophical implications that merit further exploration.As humanity confronts significant challenges,such as how we can coexist with others,with technology,and with nature,the ancient Eastern wisdom embodied in he continues to possess practical characteristics and value.展开更多
This paper discusses the most recent case of the lost-wax process,namely,a bronze appendage with hollow snake patterns excavated in 2002 at the tomb of Duke Ning of Xu(許公寧)(a state in the Spring and Autumn period)i...This paper discusses the most recent case of the lost-wax process,namely,a bronze appendage with hollow snake patterns excavated in 2002 at the tomb of Duke Ning of Xu(許公寧)(a state in the Spring and Autumn period)in Ye County,Henan Province.Various physical and chemical analyses indicate that this artifact was cast as a whole in 547 BCE or slightly later in a high tin bronze alloy using the lost-wax process.No traces of cast joints or soldering were found.This research provides further proof that the lost-wax process was a significant technical development achieved by casters in the Pre-Qin period.展开更多
Based on the concept of cultural consciousness, this paper clarifies the misunderstanding of the "Four Great Inventions", then defines the concept of inventions and corresponding grading and rating systems. ...Based on the concept of cultural consciousness, this paper clarifies the misunderstanding of the "Four Great Inventions", then defines the concept of inventions and corresponding grading and rating systems. Numerous senior historians of science and technology were invited to review the great Chinese inventions before the book The Thirty Great Chinese Inventions was finally compiled and published. This paper also points out that the Chinese themselves must clearly understand things concerning China and China must have a say over the issue of inventions. The scientific spirit of deriving truth from facts must be rigorously upheld during the study and rating of great inventions.展开更多
基金the support of the Center for Cultural Studies on Science and Technology in China at Technische Universitat Berlin。
文摘Pre-modern Chinese crafts,such as iron smelting,cookery,medicine,and the production of vehicles,bows,and arrows indicate the traditional Chinese view of technology as being organic,holistic,and comprehensive.This view of technology is guided by the concept of he(和)and employs the means and methods of he,thus achieving the purport of he.In Chinese,the character he(和)possesses positive connotations.It originated from the meaning of"to season;to add flavoring to"(调和)and that of flavors being"perfectly harmonious"(和美).From this sensory experience,he gradually extended to the abstract levels of materiality,humanity,sociality,"order"(wei位),and "power,situation,force"(shi势).Finally,he was elevated to the supreme level of"qi of great harmony"(taihe zhi qi太和之气),which is comparable to the concept of dao(道).The philosophy of he has exerted wide impact on such areas as technology,art,national character,cultural psychology,and behavior patterns,and has become an integral part of China's inherent culture.The paradoxes and deviations of he hold their own profound philosophical implications that merit further exploration.As humanity confronts significant challenges,such as how we can coexist with others,with technology,and with nature,the ancient Eastern wisdom embodied in he continues to possess practical characteristics and value.
文摘This paper discusses the most recent case of the lost-wax process,namely,a bronze appendage with hollow snake patterns excavated in 2002 at the tomb of Duke Ning of Xu(許公寧)(a state in the Spring and Autumn period)in Ye County,Henan Province.Various physical and chemical analyses indicate that this artifact was cast as a whole in 547 BCE or slightly later in a high tin bronze alloy using the lost-wax process.No traces of cast joints or soldering were found.This research provides further proof that the lost-wax process was a significant technical development achieved by casters in the Pre-Qin period.
文摘Based on the concept of cultural consciousness, this paper clarifies the misunderstanding of the "Four Great Inventions", then defines the concept of inventions and corresponding grading and rating systems. Numerous senior historians of science and technology were invited to review the great Chinese inventions before the book The Thirty Great Chinese Inventions was finally compiled and published. This paper also points out that the Chinese themselves must clearly understand things concerning China and China must have a say over the issue of inventions. The scientific spirit of deriving truth from facts must be rigorously upheld during the study and rating of great inventions.
