The Emperor's New MathematicsWestern Learning and Imperial Authority During the Kangxi Reign (1662-1722)

Western learning and imperial authority during the Kangxi Reign (1662-1722)

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19977008
AutoresCatherine Jami (0000-0002-7777-5758, Chine, Corée, Japon, autor correspondente)
Ano2011
Páginas436
Data de publicação2011-12-01
Open AccessNão
TipoBOOK
PeriódicoThe emperor's new mathematics (SOURCE_BOOK)
EditoraOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199601400.001.0001
OpenAlexW654852147
Open LibraryOL25269923M
ISBN9780199601400
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas21

This book explores how the mathematics the Jesuits brought to China was reconstructed as a branch of imperial learning so that the emperor Kangxi (r. 1662–1722) could consolidate his power over the most populous empire in the world. Kangxi forced a return to the use of what became known as 'Western' methods in official astronomy. In his middle life he studied astronomy, musical theory, and mathematics in person, with Jesuits as his teachers. In his last years he sponsored a book that was intended to compile these three disciplines, and he set several of his sons to work on this project. All this activity formed a vital part of his plan for establishing Manchu authority over the Chinese. This book sets out to explain how and why Kangxi made the sciences a tool for laying the foundations of empire, and to show how, as part of this process, mathematics was reconstructed as a branch of imperial learning

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · China · Emperor · Empire · Literature · Physics · Political science · Power (physics) · Reign · Chinese history and philosophy · Classics · Diverse Historical and Scientific Studies · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis · History · Law · Philosophy · 17th century · 18th century · civilization · Jesuiten · Kangxi, 1662-1722 · Mathematics · Mathematik · Naturwissenschaften · Science · Western influences