Preliminary Study On Chien Wei-zang’s Spirit Of Science And Its Impact

Prof. Chien Wei-zang （1913-2010） is a renowned scholar in the fields ofmechanics, applied mathematics and pedagogy, and also a famous social activist inChina, a former Vice Chairman of the6th,7th,8thand9thCommittees of CPPCC, thelate President of Shanghai University, and the late Director of Shanghai Institute ofApplied Mathematics and Mechanics. He has engaged in educational and researchactivities for over seventy years, and has made prominent contributions to mechanics,applied mathematics, physics, information processing of the Chinese language,science history and other areas. Along with Profs. Chou Pei-yuan, Tsien Hsien-shenand Kuo Yung-huai, Prof. Chien Wei-zang is generally admitted as one of thefounders for the cause of modern mechanics in China due to his enormousachievements and pioneering work in this aspect.Undoubtedly, it is of primary significance to summarize, investigate, analyze andpropagate his spirit of science and its impact. This thesis is a preliminary attempt inthe aspect. Its main contents are as follows.1、By reviewing Chien Wei-zang’s successful academic career and his lifeexperiences，the thesis introduces his principal academic achievements，The spirit ofChien Wei-zang’s patriotically serving the country is elucidated，which is the basis ofhis spirit of science.2、The thesis reviews the innovative academic achievements of Chien Wei-zang，and describes his prominent contributions to mechanics and innovation on the subjectand method. His innovative and pioneering spirit is meticulously analyzed.3、This thesis makes a systematic analysis of Chien Wei-zang’s career ofmanaging a university（Shanghai University），establishing an institute（Instituteof Applied Mathematics and Mechanics），tutoring workshops （workshops ofapplied mathematics and mechanics），founding a journal （Applied Mathematics andMechanics）， organizing conferences （international and national academicconferences）, to show Chien Wei-zang’s spirit of “unifying of knowledge and practice".4、This thesis outlines Chien Wei-zang’s spirit of exploring truth and shows thatas a major participant in developing the first12-Year Plan of Developing Science andTechnology in China, he believed that gnosis should be attained without blind faith ofauthorities.5、On the basis of the above description，this thesis tries to finding the origin ofChien Wei-zang’s spirit of science. It is valuable place of Chien Wei-zang’s spirit ofscience that he continued to make unremitting efforts through hardships. So it shouldbe aware that Chien Wei-zang’s spirit of science is a kind of valueless wealth for thesuccessive generations in various circles for ever.The thesis finally gives to a summary of the whole article and a prospect offurther study.