Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the EarthAfter two volumes mainly introductory, Dr Needham now embarks upon his systematic study of the development of the natural sciences in China. The Sciences of the Earth follow: geography and cartography, geology, seismology and mineralogy. Dr Needham distinguishes parallel traditions of scientific cartography and religious cosmography in East and West, discussing orbocentric wheel-maps, the origins of the rectangular grid system, sailing charts and relief maps, Chinese survey methods, and the impact of Renaissance cartography on the East. Finally-and here Dr Needham's work has no Western predecessors-there are full accounts of the Chinese contribution to geology and mineralogy. |
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Contents
List of Illustrations | xvi |
List of Tables | xxxiii |
Acknowledgments | xxxix |
MATHEMATICS | 1 |
Aft h Geometry p | 91 |
fro 4 Evaluation of 1 p | 99 |
8 Trigonometry p | 108 |
ano 1 Simultaneous linear equations p | 115 |
The naming cataloguing and mapping of stars p | 263 |
8 The development of astronomical instruments p | 284 |
h Calendrical and planetary astronomy P | 390 |
i Records of celestial phenomena p | 409 |
j The time of the Jesuits p | 437 |
k Summary p | 458 |
METEOROLOGY | 462 |
e Rainbows parhelia and spectres p | 473 |
get 5 Quadratic equations and the method of finite | 123 |
mo 8 The Thien Yuan notation p | 129 |
ins 10 Series and progressions p | 137 |
sei 6 Influences and transmissions p | 146 |
mi | 153 |
m | 171 |
ac 6 Definitions p | 178 |
te te ii Chinese and Japanese literature p | 185 |
d Ancient and medieval cosmological ideas p | 210 |
e The polar and equatorial character of Chinese astronomy | 229 |
8 Thunder and lightning p | 480 |
GEOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY | 497 |
GEOLOGY and Related Sciences | 591 |
SEISMOLOGY | 624 |
MINERALOGY | 636 |
page | 681 |
803 | |
Table of Chinese Dynasties | 871 |
Common terms and phrases
already ancient appears Arabic armillary astronomical beginning calendar called celestial century Chang chapter Chhi Chhien Chih Chin China Chinese Ching Chiu Chou circle collection connection contained course described discussion dynasty early earth ecliptic equator Europe example fact four given gives heavens Hsiang Hsin hsiu idea important interesting kind known late later mathematics means measurements mentioned method Ming moon mountains natural noted observations origin passage perhaps period position present probably problems records reference River says Sect seems seen Shen Shih shows sphere square stars Suan Sung Table term Thang theory Thien things tradition translated Wang West Western writings written Yuan
References to this book
Trust: Human Nature and the Reconstitution of Social Order Francis Fukuyama No preview available - 1996 |