李约瑟难题-英文小论文.docx

Name: Zhu Yancheng; Student ID: 1353573
Time of Class: Wednesday 1-2
The word count: 1240 words
13 Dec. 2014

The reasons why had China been overtaken by the West in science and technology

Abstract

Before 17th century, Chinese technology was always the leader in the world, while the western countries kept a low level in science and technology compared to the China.
But things all changed since the Industrial Revolution happened. Western world came into a new age that everything was developing rapidly, and its technology exceeded China in a splendid speed. During the same time, Chinese people had little progress in science field.
The reason why Chinese technology fell, despite its earlier successes, is very strange. This question was first mentioned by Joseph Needham, an English scholar. I read his book and sought some historical data in the Internet, to make my own view about this question.

Keywords: Chinese technology; agricultural civilization; feudalism; lack of theories; no competition.

1. Introduction

1.1 The significance of the topic

It is known to us that China is one of the four ancient civilizations, and the only country of them that exist till now. Its brilliant success in science and technology was witnessed by dozens of centuries.
But the development of Chinese science had many obstructions too, which might cause great difficulties slowing down the pace of its progress. Unfortunately, our society kept old and decayed conception, refusing to step into new period of the science, while Industrial Revolution changed the whole western world.
Even today, some of these obstructions also play bad roles during the time our country rising from ruins left by the invaders.
So, it’s important for us to know the truth in that age, the truth what weaken our country or what strengthen our opponent.

1.2 Research methods

By coincidence, I have studied this question in my senior middle school, just a little. Before I look up reference material, my first choice is looking through the history of Chinese technology, to learn its developing characteristics. Then I compared the difference in environment for scientific research between China and Western countries in 17th and 18th century. Finally, I listed four points to explain the fall of Chinese technology.

2. My research about Needham problem

2.1 Agricultural civilization limited the space to develop technology

Ancient China was born on a vast and rich land, which means its agricultural civilization can grow to be extremely advanced. Also, its agricultural skills always kept ahead among all countries. But paying so much attention to agriculture lead to the Inhibition in commercialization. Businessman were unwelcomed by the government, and people had no need to buy articles for daily use because they could product these things by themselves. So, there was no request for better devices or no more chance for technology translated to be productivity.
As a saying goes, technical innovation is the whole process from invention to commercialization of technical. Obviously, marketization let the western countries become thirsty for higher productivity, and their government tried to create a warm greenhouse for inventors.
Contrarily, Chinese government killed the seed of capitalism, though it appeared earlier than Europe over 100 years.
We have to admit that, sometimes, what in our hands can destroy what we want to have.

2.2 Imperial examination corroded the ground breeding talents in science

China is the inventor of the examination system. 1400 years ago, Chinese emperor promulgated the imperial examination system to find talented person among the country.
Though it worked for many centuries, Chinese intellectual were guided to a road far away from technology and science. This system required the testers reciting Confucian classics day after day, and the passers can win high social status with amazing wealth. Only few people kept their passion for science, while others believed these guys working uselessly.
Not only the real talents, searching for better skills which can change the productivity or make the army powerful, suffered from ridicule and rebuke, but the government was also afraid of advanced technology, believing it might threaten the regime. Many Chinese scholars gave up their works in hands because they faced too many difficulties. That’s the present situation in Qing dynasty.
Till now, Chinese students are also influenced by the remains of imperial examination system. They are all good at Utilitarianism, really.

2.3 Chinese mode of invention lack of theories

Ancient Chinese scientists always created new technique with their practical experience in the workrooms or farmland. When the new invention worked well, they would think that’s good enough. There was no need for them to figure out why it worked.
So, a classical logical system didn’t appeared in Ancient China. More specifically, the wisdom and consummation of the ancestors couldn’t be inherited well, because no theories or researching methods left by them. As a result, Chinese inventors had no opportunities to stand on the shoulders of a giant.
On the contrary, the development of Western science is based on two great achievements. One is the formal logical system, invented by Greek philosophers, while the other is the experimental research method. These two treasures preserved many theories and ancestors’ experience, exploding enormous power in Industrial Revolution.

2.4 No environment of competition

Emperor of Qing dynasty, Qian Long, once said, “China is a productive and rich country, lacking in nothing. There is no reason to have communication with foreign countries”
According to the historical materials, we can find that China is always the strongest country in Asian mainland for so many centuries. Such long period of peace brought China Excessive comfort, no crisis awareness. Chinese government preferred to consider how to avoid uprising rather than protect this land from foreign invasion. Its dominator wanted their people foolish but no smart so that he could fall asleep in his bed all day. This country’s army lost its function, armaments were sunk in sleep, requiring no promotion.
Only the government can drive its power to speed up the boat of technology to get improvement. For instance, years of war often reminded European people to strengthen their country, avoiding of the next invasion. They need new technology to change the predicament. As a consequence, government set up a lot of research team, working out many new innovations.

3. conclusion

China had been over taken by the West in science and technology, despite its earlier successes. Though it had been a giant standing on the Eastern land, the time tide corroded its body and washed away its strength.
The reasons why Chinese technology was beaten by the West in this competition are complicated. I have only listed some of them, simply.
In conclusion, my view can be divided into following parts. First, Chinese special social environment was conservative and sealed, especially in Qing dynasty, which limited the space for technology to develop. Second, Chinese government controlled people’s thought, and the Imperial examination destroyed most of its intellectuals. Third, Chinese scientists lacked effective theory system to make good use of ancestors’ achievement. At last, detached position cut down its roads communicating with other advanced nations, while the Industrial Revolution happened in the other side of the earth.
That’s all what I have researched about Needham problem.

Bibliography

李约瑟. 李约瑟中国科学技术史. 科学出版社，2006.09.
[法]雅克·勒戈夫/著. 中世纪的知识分子. 商务印书馆，1996.
李约瑟难题——百度百科