The Dissemination Of Christian Cosmology In China In The Late Ming And Early Qing Dynasties

Western Chirstian cosmology was brought to China by the Jesuits in the early16th century. And it spread gradually throughout China and was absorbed and digestedby Chinese people in the course of nearly two centuires, which had exerted differentinfluences. Among those influences was the most notably impact that contirbuted tothe direct exchange of western and Chinese cultures. When Chinese people didtranslations of western books they learn the advanced mathematical knowledge.Current research about the Christian cosmology focuses on several aspects: first,it is about Aristotl’es theory of the universe based on common sense. But thesetheories scattered in his writings has not been collected. Second, it is about thePtolemy’s theory based on those studies before his age were combined with his ownexcellent mathematical ability, which in turn led to the mathematical model of theuniverse. However, few people have touched the study of this area due to itsdemanding requirement of excellent mathematical ability. Third, scholars from allwalks of life had collected and arranged theoretical literature during the Ming andQing dynasties but they did not do research about the theoires of universe.This paper focuses on the formation of Christian cosmology and the differentreactions of Chinese people about it atfer it was brought to china. Specific researchincludes: on the basis of the comprehensive collection of Airstotle’s writings thispaper mainly endeavors to explore and do research about the thoughts of the universe,as it is valuable reference for the scientific research in the future. Having sorted outthe speciifc attitudes of objection and support toward the western Chirstian cosmologyin ancient times, this paper concludes that Chinese people accepted the Chirstiancosmology separately due to the different cognitive ability atfer the integrated westernworldview was brought into China.The result show that:Christian cosmology is to reconcile Aquinas atfer Aristotle’scosmology and Ptolemaic astronomy theory was officially formed, in which Christiandoctirne more reflected in Airstotle’s cosmology rather Ptolemaic astronomy theory ismainly used to ensure consistent theoretical and measured;this also led to a split in thechristian cosmology by missionaries came to China, Chinese people are moreaccepted theory of Ptolemy’s astronomy, and affected more, while criticism is moreappropriate to focus on the cosmology of Airstotle.At preset time, though the public has more or less knowledge of the theory aboutthe universe they have some misunderstandings about the cosmic system, which wasbrought into China in the seventeenth century. This paper means to clear up thesemisunderstandings through the analysis of the theory of the universe in that peirod’which can help address peoples confusion.