Comparative Studies On The Institutionalization Of The Western Mathematics’ Introduction In The Late Ming And Early Qing Dynasties, And Late Qing Dynasty

Being two special periods in Chinese history, Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, and Late Qing Dynasty witnessed not only the transition of the whole society, but also the transition of mathematical development. Compared with the former dynasties, both the number of people involved in the spread of mathematics, and the number of mathematical works and theories being disseminated at these two periods were much more abundant, which, therefore, brought about two climaxes of Western Mathematics1introduction in China. The reason that caused Western Mathematics’ spreading in such a more concentrated way, was highly related with the extent of mathematical institutionalization at these ages. Between the two periods, it was in Later Qing Dynasty that the introduction of Western Mathematics, with a stronger influence, achieved much more results, which laid preconditions for the development of Chinese modern mathematics. In addition to differences in historical background and environment, the most fundamental reason that caused the difference was the different level of institutionalization. Thus, from the perspective of institutional ization, by means of putting the two periods into comparison and contrast, this thesis aims to figure out the law of mathematical development in social transforming periods, which might add a stone to the building of mathematics Except introduction and conclusion, this thesis consists of four chapters, which launching its elaboration one by one, with the introduction’s demonstration that the contents of mathematical institutionalization include mathematical researchers, mathematical publishing institutions, mathematical research groups, and mathematical education system.The first chapter brings into comparison the staff involved in the spread of Western Mathematics between late Ming and early Qing Dynasties and the Late Qing Dynasty.The second chapter draws a comparison in the mathematical publishing institutions and their published works of the two periods. Chapter three conducts, from an overall perspective, the similarities and differences on the mathematical research groups, which are classified according to their academic content.Chapter four settles in the education system formation of mathematics in each period. As the introduction has demonstrated, the formation of mathematical education system marks the final establishment of mathematical institutionalization.On the introduction of Western Mathematics between these two periods, the present research primarily takes the staff to introduce mathematics or the mathematical works as its main proposal, which conducts few analysis on the perspective of institutionalization. Based on the respective introduction of Western Mathematics between Late Ming and Early Qing dynasties and Late Qing dynasty, this thesis aims to make a thorough comparison and contrast between the two periods from the perspective of institutionalization, through which to figure out the mathematical disciplines in a transitional society, and to enrich the exploration on mathematical discipline.