Research On Mei Wending’s Academic Thoughts

During the academic history of Qing Dynasty,Mei Wending is undoubtedly a pivotal figure who is famous for his calendar and calculating.The study of calendar and calculating in the early Qing Dynasty shines greatly,which has been closely connected with Mei Wending’s efforts on promoting and spreading the study of calendar and calculating as well as making connections between China and western world.Therefore,studying on Mei Wending’s academic thoughts makes much sense on academic history.Mei’s academic thoughts possess features of varied and distinctive,and this thesis will look into it in three different points.Firstly,take Wu-an Li-suan Bibliography 勿庵历算书目 as an entry point,to investigate the special contribution by Mei’s study on the establishment of calendar and calculating subject in the early Qing Dynasty.Secondly,take Mei’s calendar opinion,round earth theory and the theory of heavens with layers as examples,to reveal the empirical and rational spirits which Mei’s academic thoughts hold.Thirdly,take the practical cases in"Calendar Annals" 历志of History of the Ming Dynasty明史 which shows Mei’s ideas of replenishing history as examples,to prove Mei’s huge influence on the academic of early Qing Dynasty.Also take Mei’s textual research on methods of numbering month and the responding and debating which has been evoked by his research in classic masters’books on ancient Chinese classic works during the period of Emperor Qianlong 乾隆 and Jiaqing 嘉庆 in Qing Dynasty,to prove the influence of Mei’s study on the Qian-Jia Science 乾嘉学术.In brief,Mei Wending takes a pure and objective attitude towards all the knowledge,and his academic principle indeed has overpassed the time he lives.Mei’s study has not only made huge impact on the academy in early Qing Dynasty,but also stimulated and touched profoundly of Qian-Jia Science.