Science, technology, and war in Song China: Reflections in the 'Brush Talks from the Dream Creek' by Shen Kuo (1031-1095)

This study examines the scientific and technological achievement of the Northern Song dynasty from the perspective of the career of Shen Kuo, one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Chinese science. His major work, the Mengxi Bitan, or Brush Talks from the Dream Creek, is a collection of 609 notes and anecdotes that Shen compiled during his retirement. About half of these reflect Chinese scientific and technical development, while the other half demonstrate Shen Kuo's broad interests in music, calligraphy, painting, official life, court ceremony, and foreign policy.; The development of Shen Kuo studies in modern China and abroad is briefly outlined in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 places Shen Kuo and his work within the historical context of 11th century China and examines the commitment of the Song intellectual and political elites, the role of print culture and, in particular, the impact of an aggressive foreign policy and preparations for war under the Emperor Shenzong on the prioritization of technical and economic development.; Chapter 3 presents a study of Shen Kuo's career and offers the argument that political controversy actually encouraged and rewarded Shen Kuo's technical interests. His advocacy and direct participation in the 1081 Chinese invasion of the Tangut Xi Xia at the height of his career is examined in detail as it represents the culmination of both Shen Kuo's own personal interests and ambition and the expansionist policies of the Northern Song.; Chapter 4 provides the textual support for this study with the translation, annotation and analysis of about 110 items from the Brush Talks that are concerned with science, technology, and war. Introductions include a discussion of the theoretical concepts fundamental to Shen Kuo's science, as well as an exploration of the social context of his technical expertise.; In Chapter 5 and the conclusion, I briefly evaluate the position of Song scientific and technical accomplishments in the context of the comparative history of science. Was Shen Kuo simply a brilliant imperial official with a healthy amateur interest in the sciences, or were his interests an integral part of his official career? I conclude that he was an ambitious and talented official who manipulated his technical expertise to achieve a position of political prominence.