Abstract

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Title:: Knowledge construction of traditional science based on the Confucian and Taoism in preQin period

Author(s):: BU Feng-xian; WANG Ning; Northwest Institute of Historical Environment and SocioEconomic Development, Shaanxi Normal University,Xi’an 710062,Shaanxi,China

Keywords:: pre-Qin period; Confucianism; Taoism; traditional science; knowledge system

Abstract:: During the preQin period，Confucianism and Taoism were closely linked with the systematic progress of Chinese traditional sciences. Based on the preQin classics, the“The Analects” and “Tao Te Ching,” this paper examines the interactive relationship between Confucianism and Taoism and the traditional sciences, taking into account three aspects: the varied expositions and flexible applications of basic scientific concepts, the recognition and analyses of the main natural phenomena and their laws, and specialized development and its evaluations of scientific knowledge. Confucianism places great value on human relationships, but it also absorbed several important achievements from the traditional sciences; thus, it built a huge social ethics system with scientific concepts and traditional scientific achievements. On the other hand, Taoism considers nature, and, furthermore, based on its understanding of natural species and its rules, it applies its philosophized cognitions regarding traditional science to humanistic society. Thus, it is not only a social extension of nature’s way but also a special type of knowledge construction that combines nature and society.