This study aims to investigate the role played by Xu Guangqi （1562-1633）, minister of the Ming Dynasty, in the development of European scientific and technical knowledge in China between the 16th and 17th centuries ...This study aims to investigate the role played by Xu Guangqi （1562-1633）, minister of the Ming Dynasty, in the development of European scientific and technical knowledge in China between the 16th and 17th centuries by analyzing a book of Western technology that he wrote, namely, Taixi Shuifa （On Western Hydraulics）. Several Western books related to machine knowledge are searched to trace the source of the illustrations in Taixi Shuifa. We found that Archimedes＇ screw and Ctesibius＇ machine, which are included in Vitruvius＇ De Architectura volumes, also appear in the work of Xu Guangqi.展开更多
China was a country which had frequent natural disasters and during the long-term struggle with them,we had accumulated a lot of thoughts and taken many measures to reduce disasters and relieve the famine.The thought ...China was a country which had frequent natural disasters and during the long-term struggle with them,we had accumulated a lot of thoughts and taken many measures to reduce disasters and relieve the famine.The thought of relieving policies by Xu Guangqi is an important component of China’s traditional thought system to reduce disasters and relieve the famine.He proposed,"Prevention is the best,then the preparation,and relief is the last one".This saying has both theory and practical significance nowadays.展开更多
文摘This study aims to investigate the role played by Xu Guangqi （1562-1633）, minister of the Ming Dynasty, in the development of European scientific and technical knowledge in China between the 16th and 17th centuries by analyzing a book of Western technology that he wrote, namely, Taixi Shuifa （On Western Hydraulics）. Several Western books related to machine knowledge are searched to trace the source of the illustrations in Taixi Shuifa. We found that Archimedes＇ screw and Ctesibius＇ machine, which are included in Vitruvius＇ De Architectura volumes, also appear in the work of Xu Guangqi.
文摘China was a country which had frequent natural disasters and during the long-term struggle with them,we had accumulated a lot of thoughts and taken many measures to reduce disasters and relieve the famine.The thought of relieving policies by Xu Guangqi is an important component of China’s traditional thought system to reduce disasters and relieve the famine.He proposed,"Prevention is the best,then the preparation,and relief is the last one".This saying has both theory and practical significance nowadays.
