Dissemination and Enlightenment: A Study of Modern Chinese Scientific Thought

Author: Qiu Ruohong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Science is an important banner for advanced Chinese intellectuals to save the nation and achieve enlightenment in thought and culture. Generation after generation of upright individuals and wise minds, with the grand aspiration of national prosperity and ethnic rejuvenation, actively spread Western modern scientific knowledge, strived to enlighten scientific thinking, and called for the establishment of China's scientific cause, which led to the formation, development, flourishing, and turbulence of modern scientific thought in China. The modern scientific thought was a progressive trend of patriotism and an enlightenment trend against feudalism and advocating democracy. It not only laid an important foundation for the establishment and development of science and technology in our country but also promoted the transformation of Chinese society from tradition to modernity in broad fields such as politics, economy, education, culture, and academia. Of course, it was also a one-sided trend with serious limitations, such as failing to properly handle the relationship between initiating revolution and promoting science, not popularizing science among the masses, and having a strong scientism color, etc. All these brought considerable negative impacts. Today, comprehensively and systematically examining this trend gives us multifaceted insights: First, we should inherit the modern thinkers' understanding of the great function and value of science and strive to advance the cause of rejuvenating the country through science and education. At the same time, we should persist in popularizing scientific knowledge, promoting scientific thinking, and upholding the scientific spirit. Especially, we must adhere to the principle of combining science with democracy and unifying the scientific spirit with the humanistic spirit to promote comprehensive social progress and coordinated development, and strive to build a strong, democratic, and civilized modern socialist country.
Content Summary Preface Chapter 1 Scientific Dissemination and the Emergence of Scientific Thought in the Early Modern Period
1. Scientific Dissemination and the "Learn from the Barbarians" Trend in the Early Modern Period
(1) Scientific Dissemination in the Early Modern Period
(2) The "Learn from the Barbarians" Trend in the Early Modern Period
2. Scientific Dissemination and the Advocacy of Learning Physics and Chemistry During the Self-Strengthening Movement
(1) Scientific Dissemination During the Self-Strengthening Movement
(2) The Advocacy of Learning Physics and Chemistry
3. The Debate on Origins and the Conflict of Theory and Application
(1) The Theory of Western Learning in China
(2) The Theory of Chinese Body and Western Application
Chapter 2 Scientific Enlightenment and the Formation of Scientific Thought During the Wuxu Period
1. Conditions and Signs of the Formation of Scientific Thought During the Wuxu Period
(1) Extralegal Background for the Formation of Scientific Thought
(2) Intra-Systemic Conditions for the Formation of Scientific Thought
(3) Main Signs of the Formation of Scientific Thought
2. The Scientific Enlightenment Ideas of the Reformers
(1) Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge
(2) Introduction of Scientific Methods
(3) Enlightenment of Modern Scientific Views
3. The Scientific Salvation Ideas of the Reformers
(1) Kang Youwei's "Material Salvation Theory"
(2) Yan Fu's "Western Learning Salvation" View
(3) The Scientific Salvation Ideas of Liang Qichao and Tan Sitong
4. Upgrading and Westernization: Characteristics of the Wuxu Scientific Thought
Chapter 3 Continuous Development of Scientific Thought During the Xinhai Revolution Period
1. Background and Manifestations of the Continuous Development of Scientific Thought During the Xinhai Revolution Period
(1) Development of New Education and Emergence of New Intellectuals
(2) Establishment of Scientific Associations and Research Institutions
(3) Large Number of Newspapers and Periodicals Dedicated to Disseminating Science
2. Basic Content of Scientific Thought During the Xinhai Revolution Period
(1) Unveiling the Banner of "Science for National Salvation" and Promoting the Great Function of Science
(2) Advocating Scientific Education and Promoting the Spread of Practical Skills
(3) Disseminating Scientific Rationality and Opposing Religious Superstition and Ignorance
(4) Deriving Revolutionary Principles from Scientific Truth and Advocating Revolution Based Entirely on Reason
Chapter 4 The Flourishing and Turbulence of Scientific Thought During the May Fourth Period (Part 1)
1. Conditions and Manifestations of the Rise of Scientific Thought During the May Fourth Period
(1) Historical Conditions for the Rise of Scientific Thought
(2) Specific Manifestations of the Rise of Scientific Thought
2. Scientific Propaganda by Humanistic Thinkers of the New Youth Faction
(1) Science and Democracy: The Enlightenment Banner of Humanistic Thinkers
Chapter 5 The Flourishing and Turbulence of Scientific Thought During the May Fourth Period (Part 2)
Chapter 6 Evaluation and Reflection from Multidimensional Perspectives
References