On The 17^th And 18^th Century British Sinology In The Context Of Intellectual History

This paper conducts a comprehensive study of the 17th and 18th century British Sinology in the paradigm of intellectual study,employing also methods in comparative literature and cultural studies.This paper explores loads of historical documents,taking geography,trade,religion and cultural achievements into account.Based also on contemporary European Sinology achievements,this paper focuses on British sinology achievements in the early stage before British professional sinology formed which have been underestimated.Besides,the work started by Qian Zhongshu,Fan Cunzhong,Chen Shouyi and other scholars has been furthered.Besides,the paper tries to understand and analyze the specific texts or matters of Sinology by studying the ideas of specific characters,and to grasp the turns and changes of the Sinologists’ ideas in dynamic social history and cultural background knowledge displaying British Sinology discipline foundation and the start of the process which promotes British culture from classical to modern,so as to grasp the knowledge system and ideological context of British Sinology during this period and to realize its significance and value more objectively and fully.This paper consists of five chapters.After the introduction of academic achievements and clarification of the research ideas of this paper,the first chapter reviews and analyzes the establishment process of the word "China",namely the question "Is China the same country as Cathay or not?" The problem is the starting point of the British Sinology research,which forms the historical context,discussion and verification process and the influence that outline the historical background of the following research.The second chapter focuses on the research of "Chinoiserie"which studies such objects from China as porcelain,tea,garden arts,and etc.At the same time,how the research of "Chinoiserie" helps promote British social conventions is studied.The third chapter combs the research of Chinese in British Sinology,and puts emphasis on the Chinese study influenced by the concept of"lingua universalis" and the formation of the backward Chinese perception after the European language concept changed in the 18th century.The fourth chapter discusses the translation and review of Chinese literature by British scholars,and probes into the translation level and characteristics and the literary criticism "which verifies western matters with Chinese evidences" and the preliminary formation of comparative perspective.The fifth chapter focuses on the study of Chinese religion and society by British scholars including the discussion of religion,ethics,social system and developmental model.This paper will lay stress on interpreting such concepts as "Chinoiserie","Lingua Universalis" concept,and thoughts,events like"Chinese Chronology Debate","Chinese Rites Controversy" and "British Deism","La Querelle des Anciens et des Modernes","Irish Enlightenment" with the paper’s discussion to explore the non negligible functions exerted by thoughts and historical trends closely bound up with the development of British Sinology.Throughout the achievements of British Sinology research during this period,it is found that the change goes from name to substance,from the linguistic foundation to the literary and aesthetic criticism,and further to the core of civilization concerning ethics,religion and social system.Therefore we can summarize the characteristics of British Sinology research in this period:the study is not only strongly linked with the European continental Sinolog,but also existing independent academic thoughts and stands,promoting the formation of the British modern ideas under the intense influence of Pragmatism.