Euclid in China: The Genesis of the First Chinese Translation of Euclid's Elements, Books I-VI (Jihe Yuanben, Beijing, 1607) and Its Reception Up to 1723As part of the Jesuits' programme of introduction to European culture, in 1607 the "Elements" of Euclid (+ 300 BC) were translated for the first time into Chinese. The translation of this epoch-making ancient Greek textbook on deductive geometry meant a confrontation of contemporary Chinese and European cultures. Part I of Peter Engelfriet's work deals mainly with the European and Chinese backgrounds, part II with linguistic and textual matters. In part III the manner in which learned Chinese tried to integrate this new knowledge into their own, Chinese, mathematical and cultural traditions comes to the fore. This fascinating work explores in depth and at various levels the circumstances and mechanisms that shaped the transmission of a key work of science from one language and cultural context onto another. Consequently it offers often surprising insights into the ways of intercultural exchange "and" misunderstandings. |
Contents
Mathematics in Jesuit Context | 11 |
Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi in Late Ming | 56 |
Clavius 1574 Edition | 105 |
The Jihe yuanben | 132 |
The Enunciations of all Propositions | 207 |
Mathematics in the Service of the Dynasty | 289 |
The MingQing Transition | 351 |
Other editions - View all
Euclid in China: A Survey of the Historical Background of the First Chinese ... Peter M. Engelfriet No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
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