Analysis Of The Relationship Between Ancient Greece And Ancient Chinese Philosophy And Science

Ancient Greece and china is the major origin of western and eastern culture respectively. The comparison about thought and culture between them is an important task for culture intercourse and comparison between China and other nations. Experts launched the vehement discussion about the reason that the science and technology in ancient china but fall in modern age while western Europe established the modern science system inheriting the spirit from ancient Greece. The thesis is just inspired from these discussions and tries to analyze the different relations between the philosophy and science in ancient Greece and China with the historical point of view. The thesis concentrated on the period from 6BC to 3BC, ancient Greece from Thales to Aristotle, ancient China from Lao Tzi to Fa Jia. In the beginning of the thinking of human, hindered by limited experience and knowledge, the results of thinking were often general but rough and plain. The philosophy and science of ancient Greece and China are interwoven. But later the application of logic thought make science such as physics, astronomy ...etc. separated from the philosophy system. The science thought in ancient Greek philosophy such as math in the Pythagoras school, astronomy of Thales, atomism of Democritus, supplied the necessary element of guiding thought for constructing a great science system. While the philosophy of ancient china abandoned scienceto choose politics developed the witchcraft such as pill-making, geomancy and prospered the religion such as Buddhism, Taoism. The reason included five aspects:①the effect of physical environment: the open geographical environment and barren soil urge the Greeks to look for development outward while the close geographical environment and advantaged condition for agriculture shaped the Chinese conservative thought and obstructed their steps of going out.②the advancing and blocking of the economic: the frequent trade offered an abundant living supply and open view while the self-sufficient agriculture with restraining trade rigidified the thought. ③ the difference in politic institute and situation: the democracy polis of ancient Greece is exclusive in the ancient world. It shaped the atmosphere of freedom, democracy and adversary. While the monarchy in ancient China pursued the "united country" and shaped the atmosphere serving for politic and consolidating thoughts.④the guiding of traditional culture: the Greeks pursued freedom and wisdom and were curious about nature while the Chinese adored ancestor and obeyed the authority and prefer to pragmatism. ⑤ the purposes of the thinkers were different: the ancient Greek thinkers achieved knowledge for wisdom and enjoyed the happiness from the knowledge while the motivations of Chinese thinkers were for education and persuading the emperor and serving politics.