Kang Xi's View On Western Science

The thesis, with the social background of Kang Xi's time and directed by Marxist conception of history, makes a whole research on Kang Xi's views towards Western science by means of history and logic.Western science in this thesis refers to the science that was brought to China during the course of the first "Western Science Moving into the East", especially to the one in Kang Xi's time.The views on Western science refers to the views and attitudes of the intellectual circles at the turn of Ming Dynasty to Qing Dynasty towards Western science. At the time, the class of the literati and officialdom held complicated views and attitudes to the Western science. On one hand, there were many conservatives who now and then stirred up strives; on the other hand, some literati and officials took a willing attitude towards the Western science-neither going after it in a swarm blindly, nor keeping it outside and indulging in self-admiration, but having a placid mood, that is to say, examining themselves and learning from others modestly at the time of self-criticism while not having the feeling of parochial arrogance or superciliousness in the pride of their own culture.Kang Xi's views towards the Western science gradually took shape in the course of his studies, introspection and critical absorbency of the Western science.Kang Xi began his interest in Western science just at the time when the Chinese-Western Calendar War broke out in the early Qing Dynasty. Kang Xi felt that an emperor should also have a good knowledge of science and technology so that he could improve his ability to discriminate between right and wrong and to have his say. Therefore, he determined to learn Western science and put it into practice.It could be divided into two stages during which Kang Xi worked hard on Western science. The first stage was around 1671 when he took the Westerner Nan Huairen as his tutor. In the following two years, he studied mathematics and astronomy with undivided attention and grasped the theory and the usage of some astronomical instruments. The second stage was around 1689 just when "the Three Vassal States" was suppressed, Taiwanwas taken back and "Ni Bu Chu Treaty" was signed between China and Russia, after all of which Kang Xi had more time to study.Kang Xi had learnt so much about Western science from missionaries and he had almost dipped into every aspect of it that missionaries brought into China. He was best in mathematics and astronomy.When he studied Western science, Kang Xi, with the matter-of-fact attitude, laid stress on observation, on-the-spot investigation and application. He always performed mathematical calculation and observations in person.The main connotations of Kang Xi's views on Western science were: firstly, he regarded Western science as a useful appliance and technique; secondly, Western science is based on practical examination and its characteristics could be mastered by means of mathematics and logic; thirdly, Western science originated from China; fourthly, Western science could be used as a useful appliance and technology to fortify and strengthen the feudal ruling.Kang Xi's attitude towards Western science was to study for the purpose of application of it and absorb it critically and firmly suppress those that were not suitable for his ruling. His concrete tendency was to "Learn technique while banning the spread of Western ideology". He advocated the theory of "the Chinese origin of the Western science".Kang Xi's achievements directed by the views on Western science were outstanding. He compiled a set of books named "The Cream of Musical Rhyming and Calendar" which include all kinds of Western scientific knowledge. And he also drew a first map in China "Full View of the Royal Kingdom" by the latest means.The origin of Kan Xi's views towards Western science was not only related to the cognitive pattern of traditional science, his scientific values and his understanding and practice, but also related closely to the present time historical situation. His vie...