The History Of Scientific Institutionalization In Modern China

Scientific institutionalization is an important part in sociology of science.The study of scientific institutionalization of China has important value in theory and practice. Becauce of historical reasons,Chinese science had lost a good chance during late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty.After Opium War,Chinese society groped for the road to save the nation three times. The government had to practise new policies and reform edcation systems.These social changes provided a special social basis for scientific institutionalization.They also promoted the development of science and technology. "May 4th" scientific thougt laid a solid thougt foundation for scientific institutionalization.In 1915,the Science Society of China was established.As the first scientific community in modern China,it did a lot of preparative for scientific institutionalization.In 1928,the Academia Sinica was setted up which marked the formation of scientific institutionalization.lt meaned the conversion from loose systems to concentrative systems .During the process, scientism made much propaganda for science and it became a pivotal factor.In 1920s and 1930s,modern science and technology acquired great development.From the historical process ,we can draw five traits: 1 .exotic.Chinese modern science was not born in its nation,but came from Western nations .The promulgation process of modern science was the process of scientific institutionalization at the same time.The systems from Western nations combined with the situations in China formed the scientific institutionalization .2.national action.Under the government's supervising, science developed.Now, national action is the common trait of science.In the process,we should deal with the relation between government and scientific independence. The development of science has its own rules.Those action against rules will do harm to the development of science .3. Practicability. Emphasizing the practicability is the traditional notion in China.In the people's eyes, science is just a tool and is the resource of money. The traditional notion leads to pragmatism and benthamism.But if pragmatism and "benthamism becomes the only criterion,the development of science will be restrained.Therefore,to realize the social function of science ,people must have more rational cognition toward science Apolitical responsibility.In the process of scientific institutionalization, science always had close relation with political changes.Served as the prelude and spirit weapons, science has become a new system of thougt.But science won only in the surface .The respect did not mean the true comprehention toward science. 5. ideology. Grasping these traits has very important significance for the present reform in the system of science and technology.