There are diverse opinions about how to solve the Needham Puzzle. Such opinions or schools of thought can be roughly classified into three theories of a) geographical conditions, b) empirical trial and error, and c) p...There are diverse opinions about how to solve the Needham Puzzle. Such opinions or schools of thought can be roughly classified into three theories of a) geographical conditions, b) empirical trial and error, and c) private property rights. Although each school of thought makes sense, they all fail to fully uncover the main reason why, in modern history, China lagged behind western countries in the development of science and technology. In our opinion, the correct solution is to draw on historical experiences, integrate all schools of thought, proceed with an emphasis on the definition and protection of property rights, boost government investment in basic scientific research, strengthen government service functionality, actively develop NGOs, and open more widely to the outside world, with a view of pushing forward China's scientific and technological innovation and accelerating the pace of China's modernization.展开更多
Has Confucianism exerted a positive influence or a passive one on the development of ancient science and technology?This is a question that has been debated repeatedly in the field of scientific history and philosophy...Has Confucianism exerted a positive influence or a passive one on the development of ancient science and technology?This is a question that has been debated repeatedly in the field of scientific history and philosophy and has not been settled up to now.A large number of scientific historians hold the opinion that the influence that Confucianism exerted on the development of science and technology is basically passive and negative.One of the most prominent representatives of this view is the famous historian on Chinese science and technology history—British Dr.Joseph Needham.Dr.Joseph Needham declared in the second volume of Science and Civilization in China,namely History of Scientific Thought:“They(Confucians)were thus,throughout Chinese history,in opposition to those elements which groped for a scientific approach to Nature,and for a Scientific interpretation and extension of technology”(Needham,1956,p.9),“their contribution to science was almost wholly negative”(p.1).As Confucianism has been playing an important role in ancient Chinese society for a long time,it is necessary for us to discuss this issue in detail.展开更多
The research of General History of Chinese Science and Technology(GHCST) has so far failed to transcend the"positivist history", a program of historiography initiated by Joseph Needham. The historians after ...The research of General History of Chinese Science and Technology(GHCST) has so far failed to transcend the"positivist history", a program of historiography initiated by Joseph Needham. The historians after Needham have made important explorations on the historiographical reform of GHCST. However, nearly all of these explorations are still the methodological reflections of the positivist history perspective, failing to reflect metaphysically on such historiographical presuppositions as views of science, technology and history, which means they have failed to break away from the positivist history perspective. To go beyond the limitations of positivist history calls for the introduction of the perspective of phenomenology of body and reflecting on and criticizing the historiographical presuppositions of positivist history on a metaphysical level. Such reflection will lead us to a new program of historiography in the post-Needham era, that is"phenomenal history"or the GHCST from the perspective of the phenomenology of body.展开更多
Doctor Joseph Needham and Rewi Alley first met in Alley’s cave dwelling in Shuangshipu town,Feng county,Shaanxi province,on Sept 18,1943.Alley soon occupied a special status among Needham’s close friends.Even many y...Doctor Joseph Needham and Rewi Alley first met in Alley’s cave dwelling in Shuangshipu town,Feng county,Shaanxi province,on Sept 18,1943.Alley soon occupied a special status among Needham’s close friends.Even many years later,when speaking of Alley,Needham remarked:"There cannot be a dearer friend and a more trusted colleague."展开更多
文摘There are diverse opinions about how to solve the Needham Puzzle. Such opinions or schools of thought can be roughly classified into three theories of a) geographical conditions, b) empirical trial and error, and c) private property rights. Although each school of thought makes sense, they all fail to fully uncover the main reason why, in modern history, China lagged behind western countries in the development of science and technology. In our opinion, the correct solution is to draw on historical experiences, integrate all schools of thought, proceed with an emphasis on the definition and protection of property rights, boost government investment in basic scientific research, strengthen government service functionality, actively develop NGOs, and open more widely to the outside world, with a view of pushing forward China's scientific and technological innovation and accelerating the pace of China's modernization.
文摘Has Confucianism exerted a positive influence or a passive one on the development of ancient science and technology?This is a question that has been debated repeatedly in the field of scientific history and philosophy and has not been settled up to now.A large number of scientific historians hold the opinion that the influence that Confucianism exerted on the development of science and technology is basically passive and negative.One of the most prominent representatives of this view is the famous historian on Chinese science and technology history—British Dr.Joseph Needham.Dr.Joseph Needham declared in the second volume of Science and Civilization in China,namely History of Scientific Thought:“They(Confucians)were thus,throughout Chinese history,in opposition to those elements which groped for a scientific approach to Nature,and for a Scientific interpretation and extension of technology”(Needham,1956,p.9),“their contribution to science was almost wholly negative”(p.1).As Confucianism has been playing an important role in ancient Chinese society for a long time,it is necessary for us to discuss this issue in detail.
基金major project funded by National Social Sciences Foundation(14ZDB017)western project funded by National Social Sciences Foundation(15XZX004)
文摘The research of General History of Chinese Science and Technology(GHCST) has so far failed to transcend the"positivist history", a program of historiography initiated by Joseph Needham. The historians after Needham have made important explorations on the historiographical reform of GHCST. However, nearly all of these explorations are still the methodological reflections of the positivist history perspective, failing to reflect metaphysically on such historiographical presuppositions as views of science, technology and history, which means they have failed to break away from the positivist history perspective. To go beyond the limitations of positivist history calls for the introduction of the perspective of phenomenology of body and reflecting on and criticizing the historiographical presuppositions of positivist history on a metaphysical level. Such reflection will lead us to a new program of historiography in the post-Needham era, that is"phenomenal history"or the GHCST from the perspective of the phenomenology of body.
文摘Doctor Joseph Needham and Rewi Alley first met in Alley’s cave dwelling in Shuangshipu town,Feng county,Shaanxi province,on Sept 18,1943.Alley soon occupied a special status among Needham’s close friends.Even many years later,when speaking of Alley,Needham remarked:"There cannot be a dearer friend and a more trusted colleague."
