Early Chinese Work in Natural Science: A Re-examination of the Physics of Motion, Acoustics, Astronomy and Scientific ThoughtsThis book re-examines the nature of early Chinese work in natural science, on the basis of original records analysis and artifacts discovered in recent decades by archaeological explorations of China's past. It presents a concise account of early scientific ideas and thoughts of nature, and their effect on the development of natural science. It is suggested that the traditional characterization of early Chinese work in natural science requires substantial modification. The absence of early Chinese participation in the development of 'modern' science is not, as commonly assumed, a consequence of lacking early scientific tradition in ancient China. It is argued that the concept of 'inhibitive' factors is dubious without taking their dynamical relationships into account, and that socio-economical and political influence has to be considered when seeking answers to the major setbacks in science and technology in China. The book also shows that there is no basis for the claims saying that acoustics and astronomy in China have their roots in Babylon. |
Common terms and phrases
5th century acoustics ancient Chinese astronomical astronomical reform Babylonian bell binary celestial Chén Zĩ Chén Zi's formula Chén Zi's model China Chinese civilization chóng-cha chromatic scales concept core notes cùn cyclic dào derived diameter discussed dynasty early Chinese earth Equation equatorial Figure Gài-Tian Gão given gnomon gōng Greek guà Guăn Zi Hàn Hénán heptatonic Huáng-zhōng Hún-Tian intercalation procedure interpretation intonation Joseph Needham jué Lu-Shì Chun-Qiu major second major third Marquis Yi mathematical measurements minor sixth mode-key Mòhist motion musical acoustics musical instruments Needham and Robinson observational octave octave circle passage pentatonic scale perfect fifth perfect fourth pitch-pipes Qín Qing scientific semitones set-bells shadow length shāng sound stars Suàn-Jing sun's tài-jí model telescope tone qualities twelve pitches unearthed up-and-down principle xiù Yáng Yáo Yi Jing yin-yang Yuán zeng interval Zhōu Zhōu-Bì Zhuang Zi