Institute of Religion, Science and Social Studies

Professor Jiang Sheng is invited to give a lecture on the Cultural Foundation of Development of Science at the University of Science and Technology of Shandong at Tsingtao

On June 21, 2006, the eighth speech of “Humanity Lectures” is held at the University of Science and Technology of Shandong, Tsingtao. Professor Jiang Sheng is invited to give a lecture on the cultural foundation of science.

In the lecture he made a retrospect to the cultural history, spiritual world and development of science, and points out the reason for modern science originated from Europe, and the transformation of culture to science, and science to technology. And the problem is, we are always tracing the frontiers of science in the West, but not creating the frontiers of science. Why? The reason is that we are not sensitive of spiritual culture which is the deepest root of science, and thus lack of scientific creativity.

Introducing the relationship between science and Taoism, he explicates the place of traditional culture in ancient development of science and technology. He vividly explains how Taoist tradition conceived and developed Chinese ancient science. Although its process contained certain ridicule parts, the complication development from spirit to science indeed gives birth to many scientific achievements.

This lecture makes students understand the Chinese ancient scientific history clearly, aware of the basic position of spiritual culture to the existence and development of science.