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Translation of Euclid’s Elements and Evolution of Mathematical Thoughts in Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods

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Western Influences in the History of Science and Technology in Modern China

Part of the book series: History of Science and Technology in China ((HSTC))

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Abstract

The completion of Chinese translation of Euclid’s Elements in 1607 symbolized the end of “native math” and ushered in a new era of the development of math in China. The Elements brought a brand-new mindset on math, triggered various changes in math perceptions, and reflected the historical process where two heterogeneous cultures communicated and conflicted, playing an important role in the history of math in China.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    John Donne: The Anatomy of the World. Forwarded from the quotation by Steven Shapin and translated by Guoqiang Xu, Jiangyang Yuan and Xiaochun Sun: Scientific Revolution: Critical Synthesis (《科学革命:批判性的综合》), Shanghai Scientific and Technological Education Press, 2004, p.27.

  2. 2.

    Aloys Pfister, and translation by Chengyun Feng: Biographies of Catholic Missionaries in China (《入华耶稣会士列传》), Commercial Press, 1937, p.46

  3. 3.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Euclid’s Elements. Compiled by Weizhen Zhu: Collection of Chinese Translations of Matteo Ricci’s Works (《利玛窦中文著译集》), Fudan University Press, 2001, p.298. The quotation of Ricci’s speech below is from the same source, with only the page number indicated.

  4. 4.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301.

  5. 5.

    Guangqi Xu: “Twenty-five Speeches.” Proofread by Chongmin Wang: Guangqi Xu’s Collection (《徐光启集》), Shanghai Classics Publishing House, 1984, p.87. The quotations of Guangqi Xu below are from the same source, with only the page number indicated.

  6. 6.

    Matteo Ricci & Nicolas Trigault. Translated by Gaoji He, Zunzhong Wang and Shen Li and proofread by Zhaowu He: Matteo Ricci’s Traveling Diary in China, Zhonghua Book Company, 1983, p.516–517.

  7. 7.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.302.

  8. 8.

    Guangqi Xu: Engraved Preface to Elements, same as the previous book, p.75.

  9. 9.

    Guangqi Xu: “Random Thoughts on Euclid’s Elements,” same as the previous book, p.76–77.

  10. 10.

    Guangqi Xu: “Random Thoughts on Euclid’s Elements”, same as the previous book, p.76–77.

  11. 11.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301–302.

  12. 12.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301.

  13. 13.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301.

  14. 14.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301.

  15. 15.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction to Translation of Elements, same as the previous book, p.301.

  16. 16.

    Christopher Clavius. Euclidis Elementorum Libri XV. Romae, Apud Vincentium Accltum, 1574, 以下拉丁语引文皆出自此书。

  17. 17.

    Guangqi Xu: “Random Thoughts on Euclid’s Elements,” same as the previous book, p.78.

  18. 18.

    Guangqi Xu: Tiao Yi Li Fa Xiu Zheng Sui Cha Shu (“条议历法修正岁差疏”), same as the previous book, p.338.

  19. 19.

    Guangqi Xu: Tiao Yi Li Fa Xiu Zheng Sui Cha Shu (“条议历法修正岁差疏”), same as the previous book, p.337–338.

  20. 20.

    Guangqi Xu: Summary of Calendars (“历书总目表”), same as the previous book, p.374.

  21. 21.

    Guangqi Xu: “Preface to Engraved Version of Elements,” same as the previous book, p.75.

  22. 22.

    Guangqi Xu: “Preface to Armillary Sphere,” same as the previous book, p.73.

  23. 23.

    Guangqi Xu: “Tiao Yi Li Fa Xiu Zheng Sui Cha Shu,” same as the previous book, p.333.

  24. 24.

    Guangqi Xu: “Calendar Summary,” same as the previous book, p.374.

  25. 25.

    Guangqi Xu: “Calendar Summary,” same as the previous book, p.373–378.

  26. 26.

    Zhongtong Fang: Shu Du Yan – Ji He Yue (《数度衍·几何约》), photographed copy of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书》) by Wenyuange, Taiwan Commercial Press, 1986, p.802–592.

  27. 27.

    Zijin Li: Simplified Collection of Geometry (Preface) (《几何易简集》). See Yin Shan Bi Shi (《隐山鄙事》), included in the Series of Works Collected by Beijing Library (84) (《北京图书馆藏珍本丛刊》), Bibliography Press, 1988, p.49–50. Zijin Li’s “preface” is quoted from the same source.

  28. 28.

    Guofeng An, translated by Zhigang Ji: Euclid in China: Origin and Influence of Chinese Translation of the Elements (《欧几里得在中国:汉译〈几何原本〉的源流与影响》), Jiangsu People’s Publishing House, 2009, p.423.

  29. 29.

    Zhigeng Du: Original preface to “Ji He Lun Yue.” Photographed copy of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书》) by Wenyuange, Taiwan Commercial Press, 1986, Book 802, p.4–5.

  30. 30.

    Xuehao Wu: “Ji He Lun Yue.” Photographed copy of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书》) by Wenyuange, Taiwan Commercial Press, 1986, Book 802, p.2–4.

  31. 31.

    Xuehao Wu: “Ji He Lun Yue.” Photographed copy of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书》) by Wenyuange, Taiwan Commercial Press, 1986, Book 802, p.2–4.

  32. 32.

    Zhigeng Du: Original preface to “Ji He Lun Yue.” Photographed copy of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书》) by Wenyuange, Taiwan Commercial Press, 1986, Book 802, p.4–5.

  33. 33.

    Summary of Outline of Si Ku Quan Shu (《四库全书总目提要》).

  34. 34.

    Wending Mei: Wu An Li Suan Shu Mu (《勿庵历算书目》) (“Jiu Shu Cun Gu”). Cong Shu Ji Cheng Chu Bian (《丛书集成初编》), p.32.

  35. 35.

    Yuan Ruan: Chou Ren Zhuan (《畴人传》) (Volume 38), quoting Daxin Qian. Wenzhao Lin: Shuchun Guo: Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.7–458.

  36. 36.

    Rongzhao Mei, Yusheng Wang and Dun Liu: Introduction of Euclid’s Elements and Its Influence on Chinese Math in the Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods. Rongzhao Mei: Collection of Papers on Math History in Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods (《明清数学史论文集》), Jiangsu People’s Publishing House, 1990, p.53–83.

  37. 37.

    Wending Mei: Wu An Li Suan Shu Mu (《勿庵历算书目》) (“Geometry Summary”). Cong Shu Ji Cheng Chu Bian (《丛书集成初编》), p.30.

  38. 38.

    Wending Mei: Fang Cheng Lun (《方程论》). Shuchun Guo: Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.4–324.

  39. 39.

    Wending Mei: Ji He Tong Jie (《几何通解》). Shuchun Guo: Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.4–451.

  40. 40.

    Wending Mei: Ji He Bu Bian – Zi Xu (《几何补编·自序》). Shuchun Guo: Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.4–521.

  41. 41.

    Dun Liu: Wending Mei’s Contributions in Geometry. Rongzhao Mei: Collection of Papers on Math History in Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods (《明清数学史论文集》), Jiangsu People’s Publishing House, 1990, p.182–218.

  42. 42.

    Shirong Guo: On Influence of the Elements on Math in Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods. Culture Bureau of Xuhui District: Guangqi Xu and the Elements (《徐光启与〈几何原本〉》), Shanghai Jiaotong University Press, 2011, p.152–163.

  43. 43.

    Matteo Ricci: Introduction of Elements Translation. Weizhen Zhu: Collection of Chinese Translations of Matteo Ricci’s Works (《利玛窦中文著译集》), Fudan University Press, 2001, p.301.

  44. 44.

    Guangqi Xu: Proofread Version of Elements. Weizhen Zhu: Collection of Chinese Translations of Matteo Ricci’s Works (《利玛窦中文著译集》), Fudan University Press, 2001, p.307.

  45. 45.

    Wending Mei: Ji He Tong Jie (《几何通解》). Shuchun Guo: Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.4–451.

  46. 46.

    Baocong Qian believed the last nine volumes seemed to be based on the English translation by British Issac Barrow (1630–1677), who was Isaac Newton’s math teacher (see Baocong Qian: Chinese Math History, p.324). However, this was not the case according to Yibao Xu’s investigation. See Yibao Xu: The First Chinese Translation of the Last Nine Chapters of Euclid’s Elements and Its Source. Historia Mathematica, 2005.

  47. 47.

    Shanlan Li: Preface to Resumed Translation of the Elements. Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.5–1155.

  48. 48.

    A. Wylie: Preface to Resumed Translation of the Elements. Collection of Science & Technology Classics in Ancient China – Math (《中国古代科技典籍通汇·数学卷》), Henan Education Press, 1993, p.5–1155 & 1156.

  49. 49.

    Yinke Chen: “Manchurian Version of the Elements”. Collection of National Institute of Historical Languages, 1931, Volume 3, Book 2, p.281–282.

  50. 50.

    Wending Mei: Preface to Chinese and Western Math. Ji Xue Tang Wen Chao (《绩学堂文抄》) (Volume 2).

  51. 51.

    Guofeng An, and translated by Zhigang Ji: Euclid in China (《欧几里得在中国》), Jiangsu People’s Publishing House, 2008.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of History and Culture Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Zhigang Ji

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  1. School of History and Culture Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Xiaoyuan Jiang

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Ji, Z. (2021). Translation of Euclid’s Elements and Evolution of Mathematical Thoughts in Ming and Qing Dynasties Periods. In: Jiang, X. (eds) Western Influences in the History of Science and Technology in Modern China. History of Science and Technology in China. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7850-2_2

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