Biography of Wei Yuan

Author: Chen Qitai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Wei Yuan was an outstanding thinker, reformer, historian, and litterateur at the beginning of modern Chinese history. His ideas and writings had a profound impact on the modernization of China and even East Asian countries like Japan. This book conducts a systematic and comprehensive study of Wei Yuan's life journey and remarkable achievements from multiple perspectives. It provides in-depth analysis and insightful evaluation of various aspects, including Wei Yuan's extensive social interactions, the formation of his pragmatic thought, his significant reform practices, his elucidation of the essence of Confucian classics, his patriotic resistance ideas, his historical contribution in advocating the study of the West, his numerous achievements in fields such as philosophy, history, and literature, as well as his status in modern Chinese history. The book offers a broad perspective, is well-supported by evidence, and presents profound arguments. It not only achieves certain breakthroughs in the study of Wei Yuan's thought but also reflects the rich connotations and deeper significance of the dramatic social changes and academic evolution during the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods through the activities of Wei Yuan and his surrounding pragmaticist group.