The Images of Science in Chinese Science Education

Abstract

Chapters two and three together provided a cultural history of the changing images of science in Chinese culture. As part of the formation of Chinese people’s images of science, Chinese native knowledge has experienced the process from mainly developing on its own track, to being seriously challenged by Western science. The development of Chinese science education has always echoed the changing images of science in Chinese society. Since education offers a place where it is possible for ideas to be translated into practice and to make real impact on society, education has been one of the major arenas of debate that has seen the development and struggle of Chinese native knowledge, and, the rise and flourishing of Western science. This chapter gives a brief introduction to Chinese science education, in a roughly chronological order. In line with the main concern of this book, the introduction focuses on the cultural background and its influences particularly on science education during each period. As in Chapter 3, traditional Chinese medical education is treated as a typical case in the last section of this chapter.